HUNTING & FISHING Montana
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APRIL 2015
ELK NUMBERS ACROSS 6 STATES SPRING TURKEY STRATEGIES 5 REASONS YOU DIDN’T SHOOT A MONSTER BUCK LAST SEASON The Key to Successful Shooting...HSM Ammunition Made in Stevensville Montana. Available at your local retailer.
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ELK NUMBERS ACROSS 6 STATES By: goHUNT Staff. Originally published at
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B
efore European settlement, there were an estimated ten million elk roaming the North American continent. The species had the largest range of any deer species, spreading throughout every part of the continent except for the Great Basin Desert and the Southern coastal plains. But with unregulated hunting, grazing competition from domestic livestock, and habitat destruction by urbanization and westward expansion, American elk populations dwindled to less than 100,000 by the early 1990s. Fortunately, wildlife management efforts throughout the 20th century helped the elk populations to rebound. By 1984, there were an estimated 715,000 elk in North America. And by 2009, elk numbers grew to 1,031,000. Though today’s elk population is still about one-tenth of the historic level, the numbers have stabilized and, in some areas, have even grown. Arizona At one time, elk were thinly dispersed throughout Arizona from the White and Blue mountains westward along the Mogollon Rim to near the San Francisco Peaks. These native elk were eliminated before the 20th century. In 1913, 83 elk were translocated from Yellow National Park into Cabin Draw near Chevelon Creek. Two other translocations of elk followed in the 1920s. These transplants were great successes, enabling Arizona’s elk population to grow to approximately 30,000 to 35,000 post-hunt adults. Colorado
Colorado is home to the largest elk population in the world. Currently, the majority of elk herds in the state are either at or near target levels. Though it is important to recognize that over the last two decades, many elk herds in Colorado have changed their habits due to the continuing destruction of habitat through development and the increasing disturbance by humans in their natural habitats. Many elk herds have moved to winter ranges on private lands early in the season. The shift from public to private lands during the hunting season may be adding to below objective harvest, ultimately allowing elk numbers to increase above target levels. (see graph on right)
continued on page 10
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5 Reasons You Didn’t Shoot a Monster Buck Last Season
By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com 1. You hunted the wrong area. You’ll never shoot a huge buck if you hunt where no huge bucks live. Sounds elementary, but it’s not. If you’re not seeing big deer on land you’ve hunted for years, move. A different farm or woods 10 to 50 to 100 miles down the road will have less pressure, better habitat and more mature bucks. Get permission and your odds go up. A few of the giants we post on BIG DEER are killed on public land every year; look for small, remote blocks of state ground that get less pressure than larger tracts near towns (they are out there, but it takes work to find them). Look, I know that finding and keeping any place to hunt is difficult if not impossible these days. But it’s fact that you won’t kill a monster if you keep hunting where no monsters live, so try. 2. You didn’t scout enough. You are busy, but you’ve got to make more time to plan. Start studying hard-copy and digital maps and aerials today— concentrate and predict where mature bucks will bed, travel and eat. A couple evenings a week starting in late-spring, glass your area for bucks growing antlers and keep it up till Sept. If you’re not using trail cams in late summer and fall, (where legal), start. With probably 70 percent of the giants posted on BIG DEER, the hunters had one of more cam images. Prime example 2010: Luke Muldoon (photo above) started glassing and photographing this buck and others in his southern MD area last April and he kept it up through Sept. 14. On the Sept. 15 opener he got in a stand and arrowed the brute —183 with the double drop tines I love. 3. You were too aggressive. When the season opens, your instinct is plow onto your spot and start hunting hard as hell. Whoa, man. Let’s say you bow and gun hunt the same property. Set some stands back on the fringes for early archery; as the season progresses and the rut comes on, move in tighter to ridges and bottoms with hot big rubs and scrapes. Don’t pressure a spot too early and blow deer out. 4. You were too passive. But you have to be “creatively aggressive,” like I say on TV. If you sit back on the fringes too much and have the mindset “I can’t move and spook any deer” you’ll hunt too passively and miss opportunities. Scout as you hunt each day for fresh big-buck sign. Think creatively... Move into a spot and set a stand when your gut tells you the time is right (might be in Oct., Nov. or Dec.). Anytime from the October 20 scraping phase on, when you see a 160-plus buck in an area (or get a cam pic of him) move in and hunt him now--don’t be shy about it or he will be gone. 5. You didn’t get lucky. Last November 9 l killed the 209” giant. I didn’t scout the Canadian bush, but relied on buddies Grant and Sheldon to put me in a good spot. First to admit I do anything great--I got lucky and you need that luck. I do refer back to Point 1--I put myself in a place where world-class deer live, so I had a shot from the git-go. Another thing: I hunted whitetails for more than 25 years before I ever saw a 200-inch buck. It’s life, man: Work hard, put in your time and hope one day you get lucky. I’d like for you to print this..., tack it up by the door in your hunting room/man cave and use it as reference as you scout and hunt this fall. I think and I hope it will help you out. 6 - Hunting & Fishing News
How to Wear Camo Face Paint
Montana hunter Luke Strommen shoots bucks on the ground at close “wolf range” with his recurve. This is how a real bowhunter wears face paint.
By Mike Hanback www.mikehanback.com
It shouldn’t, but it irks me when
I see all these guys and gals who feel the need to paint their faces like a WWE wrestler or a college football player prepping for the big game when they go bowhunting for deer.... That look works in the ring or on the field, but in a tree stand? No. In my opinion fancy paint makes you look kind of silly, and like you’ve never been there before… like you are a rookie or wannabe. And although I’m sure the face painters have never thought of it and don’t intent it, I believe it disrespects a bit the good and wholesome rite of deer hunting. Is this the image we want to portray? Suppose a man or woman in the suburbs looks out the window one day this October and sees a guy in full camouflage, face painted like the WWE’s Ultimate Warrior, carrying a bow or crossbow and sneaking through the woods on the next lot behind their house. This hunter is perfectly legal and has permission. While the man or woman has never been against hunting, he or she might view this man as a threat, and might even call the sheriff. Don’t laugh, it could happen, we live and hunt in a different world these days. I know a lot of hunters in their 20s and 30s see a lot of fancy face-paint jobs on TV hunting shows and the Internet, and think that is the cool way to hunt these days. This is America, you can paint your face however you like. But I ask, unless you are a child of 8-15 please resist the urge. (Kids get a pass, they can have fun painting up.) Use just enough dabs and streaks of brown, black and green grease to break the outline and glare of your face, like real bowmen have done for decades. Agree with me, or am I being petty? April 2015
7
Do You Have A Top 5 List? By Jeff Matura www.takeem.com
Jeff Matura with a limit of drake mallards
Y
ou’re excited! You’ve been watching the weather and it looks like a cold front will be pushing its way into your neck of the woods. The front is going to hit during the middle of the week so you make the necessary arrangement to get the day off. You get everything ready to go and you make a mental note to yourself about the exact location you’re going to hunt and since you’ll be hunting public ground you estimate the time you’ll need to arrive to get the “Chosen Spot”. As you leave your driveway you can hardly hold back the excitement you feel the day will bring. Your excitement turns into gut wrenching disappointment when you reach the hunting parking lot and see 12 other vehicles already there and what’s worse, as you scan the black horizon; you see a spotlight in the exact location you were planning to hunt. Now panic sets in. You’re frustrated with yourself for not being there sooner and you really haven’t thought about where else you would hunt. We’ve all been there. While many hunters will just shrug their shoulders and say this is just part of hunting public land on their way back to the parking lot, here’s how to put the odds of success in your favor and overcome this obstacle.
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One of the keys to successful hunting, especially when hunting public land is to give yourself multiple chances to succeed. We always try to have a
minimum of three different locations identified to hunt and recommend choosing up to five different locations when mentally preparing tomorrows hunt. This means when scouting not to just focus on the best spot, but also alternatives and what it will take to setup in these spots. A tip I can also offer is that while the mallards maybe hitting just a couple of areas, typically bonus ducks such as teal, spoonies, and gadwall will using a few other areas receiving less attention. Sure it’s not mallards, but it’s better than going home empty handed.
By identifying where you will hunt in advance you give yourself the advantage of clearly taking into account all of the factors that will be important to your success. You’ll be able to calmly think about where the best spots to hunt that day will be and you can then list your choices from 1 to 5. This is especially important when you take the field in the dark. Then when you get to your destination and someone is in your top spot, you won’t go into a panic and make a poor location choice. Instead, you’ll be able to confidently choose a secondary spot based upon your preplanning and the right gear with you to make it work. This preplanning technique has paid huge dividends for us. In the past I was faced with a situation where a major front was moving into the area on Monday. When I arrived at the parking lot almost 20 other groups of hunters were already present. Since I had my top 5 list I knew that there was no need to panic. I didn’t get spots number 1-3 but I did get spot number 4. Instead of fumbling around in the dark I was able to get my boat in position, set up my decoys, and enjoy a great sunrise and an early limit of ducks.
SLAM-DUNK RECIPE FOR ARCHERY TURKEY SUCCESS By Mark Kayser
Dallas Land COMPANY
112 Willow • Helena, MT. 59602
443-5110
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Welcome to Elk Camp!
Have you dreamed about bowhunting spring turkeys, but the
dream always ends in a nightmare of missed opportunities? There is a recipe for archery turkey success. First, you have to understand turkeys aren’t quite like bowhunting bucks and bulls. Unlike whitetail deer or elk where you have a kill zone that ranges from a paper plate to a basketball, the kill zone of a Mark and Cole Kayser with a bowkilled tom. gobbler measures approximately four inches in diameter. That’s just slightly larger than a baseball and considerably smaller than the kill zone on a whitetail. Yes, it’s small. Your first archery turkey test is to see if you can even hit a 4-inch target consistently. To achieve the perfect shot you have to pinpoint a turkey’s vitals and that’s compounded by a turkey’s dark feather pattern that blends together, especially if the bird is in the shadows. You don’t have the luxury of using the leg as an indicator of where to place the arrow like on a deer. Instead, you have to memorize the vital-zone location centered on a turkey’s body with few body landmarks to base your perfect aim. Basically aim where the wing attaches to the body in a broadside position and you’ll be in the proverbial turkey ballpark. In addition to the heart, lungs and liver, you also have the option of shooting a turkey in the head, through the backbone or shooting it through the thighs to ground it. Breaking one or both of a turkey’s legs will definitely anchor the bird, but requires a nasty fight to administer the final coup if you miss the main leg artery. Of course a blow to the backbone or head will also cleanly drop a turkey, enough said. Because a gobbler’s kill zone is so small and indiscriminate bowhunters have been leaning more towards the head shot, and for good reason. If you hit a gobbler and miss the midsection vital corridor you probably will lose the bird. Turkeys tend to bleed sparsely and what they do bleed generally gets sopped up in the feathers giving you little, if anything to follow. Some hunters utilize string trackers to provide a trail to a wounded or dead bird, but to eliminate that hassle many hunters have switched to shooting a gobbler in the head. Head shots either dispatch a gobbler instantly or give you comfort in knowing you missed cleanly. Now it’s time to consider concealment. Think ground blind. Although whitetail hunters have the masses to dominate the purchase of ground blinds, turkey bowhunters likely use them more per capita than any other group. Why? Deer rarely miss anything new in their environment and often cringe at a new object such as a blind. Turkeys on the other hand generally have a care-less attitude to a blind and walk to within spitting range of a newly staked hideout. Take this relaxed attitude about blinds and combine it with the benefits of drawing an arrow in hiding, and you can see why a ground blind leads to success. If you want to get the most out of your ground blind setup consider these tips. First, set up on the level you expect the turkeys to travel. If you set up on a ridge and the turkeys spend more time on the fields below, you’ll likely have a difficult time calling them close. Next, avoid setting up near obstructions. Obstacles, barriers and blockades can be enough to make any gobbler turn around and go the other way, or stand just out of archery range and demand you come to him. Fences, creeks and steep canyons may all impede a turkey’s incentive to strut into arrow range. Your best bet is to stake the blind on the edge of where you hope turkeys will land when they leave a morning roost. Scout beforehand, note where the turkeys land and strut in the minutes before sunrise, and put your blind where a turkey can easily strut over to your decoy. You will need to get into your blind well before shooting light so turkeys won’t see your approach. A half hour before legal shooting light is generally sufficient. Finally, take care of the small details. When you stake the ground blind use a pruner to trim any small limbs or brush that could deflect an arrow causing a miss. Stake the decoy close, 15 yards or less, and at an angle to make the gobbler position itself for the best shot. Gobblers approach hens from behind for breeding purposes so keep that mental image when positioning a hen decoy. If you like a rear shot, place the decoy facing away. If you like a broadside shot, place the decoy broadside and if you like a frontal shot, position the decoy straight at you. Decoys sporting lifelike feathers, iridescent colors or even photo-quality decoys, like those from Montana Decoys, are best....Now get in the ground blind and use minimal calling to lure a gobbler close. I can vouch for the archery turkey recipe. I’ve helped my son tag a half dozen gobblers using the method and when time allows, even I put it into action. On a recent archery turkey hunt I stashed my blind in the fallen timbers of a dilapidated ranch building and waited for sunrise, and descending gobblers. As dawn arrived turkeys began dropping from a roost 50 yards away and within minutes 25 turkeys, including three mature gobblers, hens and jakes swarmed my calls and decoy. A stately tom immediately followed the yakking hens and I targeted him with my Mathews bow (www.mathewsinc.com). My arrow smacked home and the gobbler teetered for a moment before tumbling into a feathered heap. My ground blind, scouting and the perfect setup led to a delicious turkey dinner where a traditional recipe was put into play. To keep up with Mark Kayser visit him on FaceBook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Kayser/119789001392664?ref=ts&fref=ts)
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ELK NUMBERS ACROSS 6 STATES (continued from page 5) Montana While elk numbers are considerably down in some areas that have particularly high wolf densities, like the upper Gallatin, Blackfoot Valley and Gardiner regions, elk numbers remain at or above target levels in 81% of the state’s hunting districts. Elk are especially thriving in northeastern and north-central Montana.
Nevada
The Nevada Department of Wildlife issued a record number of elk tags this season. The decision was made in response to a rapid
increase in the statewide elk population. In the last decade alone, elk numbers have more than doubled. Today’s population is estimated to be 17,500. New Mexico Based upon the most recent surveys, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish estimate that there are approximately 70,000 elk in the state. Elk typically occupy the mountainous regions of New Mexico. Primary elk habitats include the north-central portion of the state along the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountain ranges, the southwest region, and the southcentral portion of the State along the Sacramento Mountains. Utah Over the last 30 years, the elk population in Utah has grown substantially. From 1975 to 1990, elk numbers jumped from an estimated 18,000 to 58,000. This rapid increase was primarily due to low population levels and an abundance of available habitat. Since that time, population growth has stabilized through the use of antlerless harvest designed to maintain populations at established target levels as well as reduce populations in regions with poor habitat conditions. The current statewide population is estimated to be around 68,000 animals, making elk the second most abundant big game species in the state, just behind mule deer.
(continued on page 26) 10 - Hunting & Fishing News
April 2015 11
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Dropshot Panfish The Best Rig You’ve Never Fished? By Ted Pilgrim with Brian “Bro” Brosdahl
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mazing that such a versatile rig— this prefect presenter of soft plastics and livebait— would be so little employed by panfish fans. In reality, a dropshot rig can be as productive as a bobber and bait, or even a tiny jig. It’s even possible that the dropshot is the most versatile rig of all, providing instant depth control; fishes heavy without impairing or impeding the presentation; shines in shallow and deep water; and activates softbaits like no other presentation. Despite the rig’s “advanced” connotation, the dropshot couldn’t be simpler. Think split-shot rig in reverse. As a softbait delivery method, the dropshot excels for bass. So it’s no surprise that small baits twitched and wiggled in new and tantalizing ways hold equal appeal for crappies, sunfish and big perch. If you can cast, you’re in. If you can tie a Palomar knot, you can master a dropshot rig. Dropshot Baits Tons of small softbaits now give panfish angler’s an arsenal of sweet options. Yet, while shapes like twister tail grubs excel on a jig, a dropshot activates straight tail worms, minnows and other subtle shapes. Moreover, many classic softbait shapes traditionally threaded onto 1/8 to 1/64-ounce jigheads spring to new life when pinned to a plain hook above a sinker. Consider the Custom Jigs & Spins Wedgee, a lively microbait “twitcher” that marries perfectly with a dropshot. Impaled onto a #10 or #12 short-shank hook above a dropshot sinker, the Wedgee and other wispy sliver-tail baits can be almost magic for palm-stretching pans. Deployed with a 1/4 - to 3/8-ounce weight, these tiny morsels move with spellbinding action. Other microbaits like Custom Jigs & Spins Finesse Plastics and Noodel and Northland Tackle’s Impulse Bro Bloodworm perform truly captivating dropshot dances. Anything with nice soft appendages and a fine quivering tail is a potentially perfect dropshot enticement. So long as you can nose hook it on a #6 to a #12 fine-wire hook, such as an Eagle Claw L2B, nearly any miniature morsel can be made to tempt bites, including livebait.
“Any time I need to put a bait at an exact level and keep it in the fish’s face,” contends guide and panfish pioneer Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, “a dropshot is priceless. Not only can I cast a dropshot and simply twitch it in place, I can also drag the rig, swim it, troll it or even work it vertically beneath the boat or a hole in the ice.” 12 - Hunting & Fishing News
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As with any presentation, of course, limitations exist. Shallow dense cover areas, such as thick vegetation or brush are largely off limits. Fish suspended higher than three feet above bottom are also better served with other approaches. But even this situation has exceptions. When crappies or sunfish suspend in treetops or sparse brush deep enough to fish vertically beneath your boat, a dropshot can be the perfect presentation. Rigging the Drop Based on countless cover, depth and other conditions, a well-armed dropshot can be built with an array of possible componentry. “To detect bites,” says Bro, “I use a 4- to 8-pound test braided mainline, joining it to an 18- to 36-inch section of mono or fluorocarbon, using back-to-back Uni knots or an Improved Albright knot.” Often, when hunting fish within a foot of bottom, Bro says, an 18-inch length of Bro maintains meticulous boat control with 4- to 6- pound test Minn Kota i-Pilot and Spot-Lock. mono is perfect.
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The most critical aspect of the dropshot is tying the Palomar knot so the hookpoint faces up. Bro interjects that an exception to the standard dropshot rig often becomes necessary with light biting fish. “Big bluegills often mouth a softbait like humans taste red hot food. So it’s sometimes best to rig with a short dropper, or pair of droppers jutting from the mainline, as opposed to pinning the bait to the line with a Palomar.” Beyond the obvious advantage of allowing fish to more easily flush a bait entirely into its craw—thanks to the semi-slack dropper line—Bro also extols the ‘flutter factor.’ “Once the sinker hits bottom,” he says, “a short 3- to 8- inch dropper gives your bait a nice fluttering effect—more movement—as the dropper and bait slowly descend to catch up. I also like that a dropper gives baits a little extra whipping action when you move the rod-tip.” Situational Droppin’ “Best rig there is for fishing just inches above low growing grass or small rocks, keeping a bait clean and at eye-level with the fish,” Bro asserts. “With a ¼-ounce sinker and 4-pound test, I can even get down to 20 feet of water fast, and fish with finesse and precision. “In flooded trees and bushes, I’ll position my boat directly above a school of fish, and slide the rig down to a certain level—tops of the trees or mere inches above the level of fish I’m marking on the Humminbird. With Spot-Lock engaged on my iPilot, I’ll hover directly above and simply shake the rod tip to activate the bait’s tiny tail. The control you have with this presentation is unbelievable.”
For casting to shallow spring panfish, a dropshot can be powerful medicine. “Fish that have just moved up onto shallow flats aren’t real active yet. I use a 7-foot St. Croix Panfish Series rod to pitch a compact dropshot rig past the fish and slowly work it into position. Once there, give the rod-tip periodic nervous shakes, so the sinker stays put, but the bait’s little tail quivers like a defenseless invertebrate, inches above bottom. “A dropshot is absolutely beautiful for putting a bait at the fish’s eye level—right where they’ve got no choice but to eat it.”
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14 - Hunting & Fishing News
F
ishing can remain frustrating, humiliating and most of all humbling regardless of how much you get to fish or how much you think you have learned. There will always come a time when you feel like you just hit a wall. Anybody who has never been stumped on the water just hasn’t backed the boat down the ramp too many times or they are not being honest. Either way we have probably all pounded a lake from before sunrise to after sunset with our pride seriously tarnished. I can’t tell you how many lessons I have had to learn over and over in my life but regardless, here are a few guidelines that just might help you catch a few more walleye this season. Believe me when I tell you that some of this Intel is hard earned. None of you want to know how many tough days of walleye fishing I have had in my life. Tip One: Understand Water Clarity One of the secrets to catching walleyes consistently is just avoiding bad situations. Extremely
clear water and extremely turbid water are two conditions to avoid when possible.
You can sometimes find the right water by using wind. On really clear bodies of water, wind will give the wind blown area of the lake just enough stain. On the flip side, what we see so often on wind swept prairie dish bowl lakes is that wind can whip up too much turbidity in the water and we end up looking for areas that are out of the wind so that the sediment can settle.
Fishing is usually better in stained water, that is water that has some color and this stained water often gets moved or pushed around the lake with wind or current. There is a difference between stain and turbidity. Fish can still see well in stained water but can’t see well if the water is turbid. This is why mud lines have a life cycle. Mud lines create an opportunistic window when waves crash up against a bank until a veil of turbid water protrudes from the shoreline. In the early stages of the mud line, the plume of churned up muddy water reaches out and hangs like a veil in the top of the water column and at this stage is typically when mud lines are the most productive. As the wind continues to pound and the veil becomes bigger and sinks down through the water column, the bite will often dissipate. So often when wind churns up sediment and clouds the water, the day after the big wind can sometimes be the best because as the sediment sinks, the visibility increases yet still offers some stain in the water. What also happens is that the water will get a green color as it warms up so we often find stained water with the temperature gauge. Colder water is often much more clear and warmer water is typically more stained.
Tip 2: Focus on the Process So often with walleye fishing, the
key to catching fish is to find fish. At times, locations will let you down; specific spots will let you down. Tried and true patterns will sometimes disappoint. What never fails however if you have enough time is an honest and thorough process of elimination.
In order to truly be successful, you have to almost turn off human emotion and start checking off possibilities from the list. The walleyes should be shallow but they are not, next step is eliminating main lake structure in depths from twenty to forty feet as an example. The key is to keep checking off possibilities even if the possibilities don’t feel right at the time. So often, there are things happening in an ecosystem that we don’t have a grasp of until after the fact. When it comes to finding fish, the least you know going into the day is sometimes better because you can adhere to the process of elimination easier. If you give something a good honest effort and it isn’t happening, turn the switch. It is always amazing how many anglers will cling to a spot or pattern for agonizing amounts of time. Been guilty of beating a dead horse myself. This is why a clock is an invaluable fishing tool. Use the element of time to force yourself out of ruts and also use the clock to slow you down when you begin to scramble. What can also happen in search mode is not giving any one spot enough time. Commit yourself to hour increments as you begin the process of elimination so that your day has some structure and you can stick to the strategy.
Tip 3: Worry about Efficiency I honestly believe that most anglers worry about the wrong stuff. They get hung up on matching the hatch or they simply out think the fish. With everything that you do in fishing, focus on becoming as efficient as possible because this can greatly increase your likelihood for success. Consider this, if you can become twice as efficient, you can basically become twice as successful. Do some real honest self-evaluation and try to do an honest assessment of how much you actually have a lure or hook in front of fish. If you can take steps to become more efficient, you will basically increase your success exponentially. If you can land a higher percent of the fish you hook or hook a higher percentage of bites, your success climbs. Most people want some secret formula. Some B.S. reasoning that if there is sunshine, you need to use bright colors or if there are perch in the lake, you need to worry about using a perch color. Worry about being in the right place at the right time and when you get an inch, take a mile. You do all of these things right and you can use the wrong color to catch all kinds of fish in the right spot at the right time until the paint is all chipped off.
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Tip 4: Chameleons Catch More Fish We all have our favorite
way of doing something. We all have something that gives us confidence. Sooner or later however, there will come a time when you are simply an observer. Somebody else is catching all kinds of fish and all you can do is watch. A little humility can do an angler a lot of good if you let it. When it is your turn to watch somebody else put on a clinic, embrace the opportunity and let the experience make you a better angler. That means no excuses or over evaluation. Adjust and match, be the chameleon. Again, don’t get hung up on cosmetics but monitor and break down the big picture, watch the jig stroke, the rate of retrieve, casting angle, visualize what that successful presentation is doing in relation to the structure and fish. Visualize what the lure or presentation looks like. If you are fishing below the boat, look to see what the angle is from the rod tip to the water and match that angle with the angler that is catching fish. Test location versus presentation so that you gather better information. Locational nuances to test might be pushing the boat up or out of the break... Tip 5: Make Time to Learn As a guide, it was easy to go right back to the same old well because of the familiarity. Could be as simple as going back to a good spot or sticking with a presentation that had worked well in the past. There are times however when we cling to the past as anglers and that experience that works so well for catching fish can start to work against us. Spend parts of your day exploring. Make a point to try something different each day. Mix up exploring the unknown with the tried and true. Force yourself to embrace the unknown. Experiment with new lures, new tactics and most of all new locations. Try approaching old locations with a different mindset. What I have found for myself personally is that learning new things keeps fishing exciting and fresh....
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Lakers, Chinook, Salmon By Bernie Hildebrand fortpeckguide.com
I
Photo from Bernie Hildebrand
f there’s a spectacular, but under-utilized, fishery on Fort Peck Reservoir, it has to be lake trout. They’re targeted at certain times of the year, but most of the time, few anglers go after them. And when you consider how much deep-water habitat there is for them, it’s indeed a lightly-fished species.
Both lake trout and chinook salmon have been major beneficiaries of the introduction of cisco into Fort Peck in the mid-1980s. Since about 1989, cisco
populations have spawned and flourished providing a good, deep-water food source. Also, since lake trout are long-lived and slow growing, we have yet to see how big they might grow in Fort Peck with that good forage base. My lake trout fishing is mostly done in the spring, as soon as the ice comes off. Late April and much of May is prime
time for lake trout out of Hell Creek, with an occasional chinook salmon picked up for good measure. My favorite
RECIPE CORNER
Kris Winkelman www.babewinkelman.com
Open Faced Walleye Sandwich
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 4 walleye fillets (coat with your favorite coating mix) Fresh baby spinach Cherry tomatoes sliced in half 2 T red wine vinegar 1 loaf baguette bread Provolone cheese Heat oil in skillet until it is hot, place coated fish fillets and tomatoes in skillet. Fry until brown, add red wine vinegar and spinach into skillet, keep scraping sides until it is all mixed together. Brush slices of baguette bread with olive oil. Put fish mixture on bread and add a slice of provolone cheese. Melt in broiler until brown. Garnish with tomato slices and spinach.
Fish Delight
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup cream cheese 1 cup Miracle whip green onion ( chopped ) garlic salt 1 1/2 cup shredded cheese pepper to taste Mix cream cheese and Miracle whip together. Pepper, garlic and salt the fillets. Spread mixture over the top of the fillets, (cream cheese & Miracle whip). Place into greased glass baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped onions. Bake covered at 350 till fish flakes, add cheese and bake till cheese is melted. 16 - Hunting & Fishing News
tactic is to troll crankbaits and run planer boards so that four rods can be fished out of the back of the boat. With deep-diving crankbaits, we work deep underwater points, bouncing the baits off the bottom, which seems to trigger strikes. As this fishing time progresses and the water warms, lakers will drop from 15-to-20-foot depths out into the 30-to-35-foot depths. With real deep divers and line-counter reels, we go after them down there. The lake trout average from 10 to 12 pounds, depending on the year, with several fish going well up into the Chinook salmon congregate teens. It’s rare to get one 20 in late summer and early fall. or more pounds, but a few are Photo: Bernie Hildebrand caught each year. We pick up lakers as well during late August and into September and October when we’re targeting chinook salmon. Most of the chinook salmon action is in the Fort Peck Dam area. In good years, it can be very good fishing. While lake trout reproduce on their own in Fort Peck, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has stocked upwards of several hundred thousand chinook salmon annually in recent years. This late summer and fall fishery is done with downriggers. Most often, you run flashers and squids at depths of about 80 to 120 feet. The chinook salmon are spectacularly strong and fast fighters. A number of fish up to 20 pounds are caught each year with a few approaching 30 pounds. While lake trout are relatively steady performers year to year, the chinook salmon bite has been an on-again, off-again situation from year to year. If you’re interested in fishing for chinook salmon, it’s a good idea to keep your eye on the Fishing Report and to call ahead or e-mail to check the status of the bite. To reach Bernie visit his website at www.fortpeckguide.com phone him at (406) 234-6342 or send him an e-mail at: Bernie@MidRivers.com.
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STRONG RUNS OF COLUMBIA RIVER CHINOOK, PUGET SOUND PINK AND COHO SALMON PROJECTED WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
F
ishing prospects look promising for chinook in Washington’s ocean waters and the Columbia River, as well as for coho and pink salmon in areas of Puget Sound, according to state fisheries managers... “Ensuring we meet our conservation objectives for depressed wild salmon stocks is the first step in establishing these fisheries,” Warren said. “That is always a challenge, but several of this year’s forecasts suggest we can provide some potentially great fisheries while meeting these goals.” As in past years, salmon-fishing prospects in 2015 vary by area: Columbia River: About 900,000 fall chinook are expected to return to the Columbia River in 2015. That would be the third largest run on record since 1938, said Ron Roler, Photo Steve’s Guided Adventures www.stevesguidedadventures.com Columbia River policy coordinator for WDFW. Roughly 70 percent of the chinook anticipated this year – or about 626,000 salmon – is expected to be “upriver brights” headed for areas above Bonneville Dam. The ocean abundance of Columbia River coho this year is expected to be nearly 777,000 fish, down from 964,000 in 2014. Washington’s ocean waters: About 255,000 hatchery chinook are expected to return this year to the lower Columbia River. Those salmon, which are known as “tules,” are the backbone of the recreational ocean chinook fishery. The forecast for returning coho also is strong though down somewhat from last year, said Doug Milward, ocean salmon fishery manager for WDFW. “Coho numbers are down about 20 percent from 2014, but the forecast for lower river chinook is up slightly from last year,” Milward said. “Overall, anglers can look forward to more great fishing opportunities in the ocean this summer.” Puget Sound: Another solid run of coho is expected to return to Puget Sound’s rivers this year. More than 891,000 coho, up 20,000 from last year, are forecast to return to Puget Sound. Central and south Sound are anticipated to be bright spots for coho, said Ryan Lothrop, Puget Sound recreational fishery manager for WDFW. The forecast for summer/fall chinook is down somewhat from last year with about 208,000 chinook returning, Lothrop said. Hatchery chinook make up the bulk of returning fish. More than 6.5 million pink salmon are expected to return to the Sound this year, which is comparable to the number that returned in 2013. Most pink salmon return to Washington’s waters only in odd-numbered years. “A large return of pink salmon provides another reason for anglers to get out on the water and, perhaps, bring someone new to the sport along with them,” Lothrop said.... April 2015 17
Say Hello To Success: Where to chase the Fish this Month Brought to you by
Chris Schlenker with a nice brown trout caught with Kit’s Tackle at Gates of the Mountain
S
pring is officially here in the West and it’s time to go fishing! A mild winter in Montana has opened up early opportunities for prime fishing. The ice is off and the bite will be on for most anglers looking to score big this spring, and it’s by far some of the best fishing of the year as warming water temperatures will trigger all species of fish to begin to feed aggressively. You’ll want to make time this month to be on or near the edge of a river bank, lake or small stream casting to your heart’s content for a chance at a real monster hanging in the weeds. Now is the time to get your gear organized, update and freshen up all of your tackle, grab your partner and head out to your favorite spots and spend some quality time outdoors. Here are just a few spots to consider this spring.
Best Pre-run Off Trout Destinations
The pre-run off fishing can provide some of the year’s best trout fishing action on Montana rivers. The action can be fast and furious. Here are a list of targeted spots for you, and a brief description of what normally works best on these waters for catching success.
• ROCK CREEK - Located just east of Missoula off Interstate 90. Expect the middle and lower sections of Rock Creek to fish well. Look for March Browns and Skwalas; March Browns in size 14 and 16 and Skwalas in size 10. Expect lots of fellow fishermen on nice days.
• KOOTENAI RIVER - Northwest Montana will offer exceptional fishing on nearly every piece of water; on lakes or rivers that are open. The Kootenai River below Libby will be lively with trout and you can take them by using black and olive beadhead Wooly Buggers, sizes 4 and 6 or nightcrawlers. • UPPER MISSOURI RIVER Headwaters State Park is the place to be here, located the first mile below the Confluences. Try dardeveles, worms, and Rapalas. Drifting worms and casting crankbaits will produce some nice rainbows and brown trout. • BIG BLACKFOOT RIVER The lower sections here tend to fish better early as the water temps will be higher. Fly fishers will go early with streamers, Wooly Buggers; black, olive and brown, Prince nymphs in 8-16 or San Juan worms sizes 10-12, dry flies, and Skwalas. • GALLATIN RIVER - Plenty of action using stonefly nymphs in size 10 - black, San Juan worms and sculpin patterns. Southwest Montana is a fly fisherman’s dream in the spring. Before you go, be sure to read this year’s fishing regulations for specific rules on each water, as some of the rivers and streams in Montana won’t open until the 3rd
Saturday in May.
Warm Water Lakes & Reservoirs
near Rock Creek for big egg-laden walleye, aggressive northern pike and above average smallmouth bass fishing. The extraordinary fishing will continue on through May and June. Cast your favorite perch pattern close to weed beds for fast action on almost every inlet now. • LAKE KOOCANUSA Between Libby Montana and the Canadian border lies this big lake, and it’s a sportsman’s paradise for big rainbow trout, lake trout and kokanee. It’s one of the deepest lakes in Montana, and presents opportunities to catch the fish of a lifetime.
• CASTLE ROCK RESERVOIR - This 160 acre
lake just outside of Colstrip has a bit of everything, including northern pike, both largemouth and smallmouth bass, and some great bluegill fishing. All of these fish will be active now and ready to strike on lures and spinnerbaits for pike and bass, or use a smaller twister-tailed jig for panfish. • HOLTER LAKE - Home of the pro-longed pre-spawn walleye bite, thanks to slow warming water in the canyon. Walleye will become stacked up along the gravel shoals across the lake from Log Gulch and Indian Trail up to the Dam area. Jigging using Pike caught on Fort Peck while fishing with Walleye/Trout Hunter Outfitters a nightcrawler, or slow-roll a bottom bouncer for walleye and big rainbows or browns. • CANYON FERRY LAKE - Another big walleye or trout destination. Head for the southern end of the lake, and slowly troll along the rubble dikes for penned-up walleye. Run a bit deeper in the column for rainbows.
Warm water anglers can also get plenty of action early this spring as the winter cap recedes from most all of Montana’s lakes and reservoirs, and puts toothy predators on the bite. Here are Montana’s hottest destinations for the next few weeks. • FORT PECK RESERVOIR There will be a short window between ice-out and the start of the walleye spawn here. If you can get the weather to cooperate with you, expect quality fishing on the lake. Head for the Big Dry Arm of the lake
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at 200 S. Montana Off Highway 12 East - East Helena 406.227.6519 • NOXON RESERVOIR Expect warm, spring like conditions here on this Clark Fork River Impoundment. Fish along sun-drenched rock walls, the backs of bays, and other sunny points that allow warm water temperatures the quickest. Largemouth, smallmouth bass and northern pike will be most excited to see your bait swimming in front of them now. Weeded areas produce a lot of activity as these fish will be cruising these edges looking to feed on small feeders. • DEADMAN’S BASIN You can target large tiger muskies at Deadman’s Reservoir near Harlowton in Southeast Montana, and they will be on the move searching for food. This lake is annually stocked with kokanee and rainbow trout, along with muskie, which help control white suckers that are in the system. This in turn helps the growth of both kokanee and the trout. It’s an exceptional and unique fishing opportunity here if the wind speeds are down. Expect great fishing around the lake. Muskies will take swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and shallow-running crankbaits. For rainbows, try white and silver Rapalas. Minnow imitations work well for larger rainbows and whopper brown trout that are in the system. • BIGHORN LAKE - Sauger and walleye populations will continue to produce good fishing at times along with smallmouth bass and catfish, with an occasional brown trout and ling being caught in this diverse lake. Anglers have indicated sporadic success here in the past, but typically very good fishing here. Mid-to-late April and May seem to really turn on here.
• TONGUE RIVER RESERVOIR - Prime walleye
conditions should exist through the spring and into the summer here. Crappie anglers have had good success, and these delicious panfish can provide some good fishing with above average size, with fish up to 10 inches. • PETROLIA RESERVOIR This irrigation storage impoundment is located east of Winnett. It is a 518 acre fishery that provides fishing for walleye, northern pike, perch and rainbow trout. Although it’s not known for being one of the top Montana destination fisheries, it’s always fun to explore new places and there are places for overnight camping here. • MARTINSDALE RESERVOIR Near the headwaters of the Musselshell River in Central Montana lies this open area reservoir. The reservoir is stocked yearly with rainbow trout, and brown trout can be had in decent numbers. Streamers are the flies of choice along with small spinning lures or nightcrawlers loaded up on a jig. The reservoir, at full pool is around 100 feet deep. Best times to fish will be in late April or May and into June, before irrigation starts to lower the level of the lake. Camping areas are located here, and the fishing access site encircles about half the lake. • WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIRThis reservoir lies along the Rocky Mountain Front north of Augusta. The Reservoir offers up fishing for rainbow trout, northern pike, perch and walleye. The reservoir is around 1500 acres, so it’s moderate size allows for small boats to navigate without much resistance, although it can get windy here. Camping is available.
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Find and Catch Columbia River Chinook Now lindyfishingtackle.com T
he Columbia is a sea among rivers. Most of the famous salmon streams in the Northwest empty into this massive resource that drains an area the size of France, and the salmon that run here are funneled into the path of least resistance by the Columbia’s powerful currents. Places where Chinook salmon (kings) are funneled into predictable locations by current are perfect for presenting a barrage of wobbling lures. The prime technique is backtrolling, with four to six diving plugs dropped back downstream 50 feet or so and the rods placed in holders. The lures are then presented by the oars of the boat—usually a McKenzie-style drifter or a jet sled. The boat is held in place or allowed to slip downstream under oar power, and as long as the boat moves slower than the current, the lures continue to work and dig. Lures also can also be presented to strategic “spot-on-the-spot” locations from anchored positions just upstream. Steve Leonard (Steve’s Guided Adventures) has been guiding in Washington State for more than 21 years. He employs both tactics. “We backtroll or anchor depending on the situation,” he said. “Backtrolling is for covering long stretches of holding water where kings scatter along a break. Anchoring allows us to keep lures posted up in a narrow passage where kings are traveling through all day.” Standing atop the Dalles and looking down into the magnificent Columbia Gorge can send longtime veterans of the salmon game packing for smaller rivers. Where to start? There’s so much water. The key, Leonard says, is finding that path of least resistance. “You can see where the current slows by watching foam or debris carried along on the surface,” Leonard says. “Slower water occurs behind current breaks like points and humps, and in deeper water where the sides of the shipping channel produce resistance. Another good spot is on the insides of bends. Kings naturally find that slower water and migrate through those areas instead of fighting the strongest currents all the way up the river.” In the Columbia River, Leonard looks for natural funnels that draw the most kings—or even a majority of kings—by offering an easier path up the river. An isolated hump between shore and the shipping channel is a good example. The flow will be more-or-less homogenous all around it, making that isolated hump the only current break in the area.
“The key time extends through April and May,” he said. “In the Columbia, we like to anchor and run plugs with lead on those key spots that are relatively small in size, like that isolated hump, the tip of an island or the tip of a shoreline point. 20 - Hunting & Fishing News
Spring runoff can create big flows so we often find them in 12 to 35 feet of water. Kings either tuck into those shallower current breaks or they spread out along the edge of the shipping channel.
- See more at: http://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/lindy-land/ find-and-catch-columbia-river-chinook-now/#sthash.rMqPFR3k.dpuf
“Sometimes it’s a point on an island, sometimes it’s just a sand flat. Wherever the current is reduced, they’ll find it.”
Sometimes in the morning or on cloudy days, kings stay a little shallower. Conditions determine how deep Leonard fishes, and he likes to stay as shallow as possible. Leonard runs his plugs on weighted rigs. He slips the main line through a swivel line tie without tying it so it slides freely, then ties on a 20 inch leader to the swivel’s bottom line tie. To that tag end he ties on a 5- to 8-ounce sinker. He ties another swivel to the main line and adds a 5-foot leader of fluorocarbon. The lure is then tied to that leader, so the result is a weight that slides free on the line and provides little resistance when a fish hits. Leonard uses 9-foot, 3-inch plugging rods with line-counter reels to present his plugs, which must be designed to run true regardless of current. He’s a fan of the Lindy River Rocker and may check several sizes and colors before determining the right one for that particular day. Fishing ledges or humps, Leonard often anchors in 10-foot depths while the lure is running in depths of 30 feet or so. “Those sharp breaks form the best spots,” Leonard said. “We try to run all the lines at the hot distance, which is why we use line-counter reels. We start the day staggering lures between 40 to 70 feet back, depending on the spot. On humps it seems 50 feet of line is right. We’re always trying to rake the high side and the downriver side of that hump.” Sizes, shapes, and colors of plugs used for salmon vary widely. Most plugs come in one or two sizes, but the Lindy River Rocker has three. The smallest weighs 3/16-ounce (size #3), and most pluggers consider it primarily a steelhead lure. Leonard hunts for shallow kings more than most and contends the size #3 can be deadly for spooky kings that need to be finessed even in deep water where heavy weights are required. The middle River Rocker is a 5/16-ouncer, and the largest size #7 is one-half ounce and 3 ¾ inches long. “The right plug is always the one catching fish, “ Leonard said. “The River Rocker is going to be that plug for us most days. The back of the Rocker swings quite a bit and that really triggers fish. Whether anchored or backtrolling, Leonard uses 5-foot leaders to get optimum action out of the plug. Color preferences include chartreuse, pink, and black/chrome most of the time, but he says kings can be very picky. He will go with dark colors for dark days and bright for bright days, but says that the lures that stand out seem to get the most attention.
2015 SPRING MACK DAYS LAKE TROUT FISHING EVENT ON FLATHEAD LAKE Started Fridays, Saturdays March 20th & Sundays goes through
May 17 Fish The Entire Lake
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competitive Mack Days NEW - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - bonus days and tagged fish only
Up to $225,000 in CASH & PRIZES 1-$10,000, 3-$5,000, 5-$1,000 & Over 5,000--$100 to $500 Tagged Lake Trout
UP TO $30,000 Lottery Prizes ($1,000-$200)-all it takes is one fish/ticket to win Plus-Top ten angler prizes $700-$200-18/27 best days Fri-Sun. count-last day is separate Captains $250-(4 prizes), Smallest lake trout $250-(2 prizes), Largest lake trout $500 Top lady anglers $300,$200, $100, $100-totals used Youth anglers- (17-13) 1st- $200, 2nd-$150, 3rd-$75, 4-5th-$50 (12 & under) 1st-$100, 2nd-$75, 3rd-$50 will also be entered in the lottery drawing. Weekend Prizes-$200 & $100 Golden Angler Award (70 & older)-$200 & $100 3 days of single/team-heaviest 4-fish Last Day Only: $300, $200, $100, & Heaviest Mack under 30”-$200 & $100
BONUSES: ALL ANGLERS WHO ENTER 10 OR MORE LAKE TROUT WIN. The higher your total is at the end of the event-the higher your bonus-every day (51) counts. Fish Fry for participants & families-May 17th at Blue Bay 3:00pm Awards Ceremony at 4:00pm
Entry forms will not be mailed out.
Enter online at www.mackdays.com
or pick up entries at local sporting good stores - or you can even enter when you check in your fish at the check in stations during Mack Days. It is easier if you enter before the event begins. Phone 406-883-2888 Ex. 7294 We remind you to follow all fishing regulations. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a special $13 fishing permit for the south half on Flathead Lake that is available wherever fishing permits are sold.
During April and May, Leonard makes it a point to visit the Sandy River in Oregon, the Cowlitz and Wind River and Draino Lake in addition to the Columbia. No matter the location, he’s always looking for the path of least resistance. “Necks and funnels that concentrate kings,” he said. “Cover key spots with the right plugs and tie your shoes on tight.”...
Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks April 2015 21
Special Interview With Keith Mark and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels From MRA By Vanessa Torres ammoland.com T
oday I had to chance to speak with the stars of Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures (MRA), Keith Mark and WWE Legend and Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. MRA recently completed Season 4 on Outdoor Channel and on March 1, 2015 debuted on Carbon TV. They discussed with us details about MRA, causes they support, and Michaels’ new book Wrestling For My Life; The Legend, the Reality, and the Faith of a WWE Superstar. What is your reaction to the announcement about MRA now airing on Carbon TV? “Well obviously it’s very exciting. The Outdoor Channel (as awesome as it is), it’s not available to everyone. If Outdoor Channel is not available to you through your television provider, then you wouldn’t be able to watch MRA. Carbon TV gives people all over the world the chance to see Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures. Another great thing since it is going to be on an online platform, we will get to put things on Carbon TV that we couldn’t air on The Outdoor Channel”. “Some examples of that would be: Bloopers, outtakes, and exclusive content. We are going to use this platform to show some of our “out of the box” ideas, and we feel that if people sign up and subscribe to the MRA channel they are going to be very pleased, expressed Mark. Shawn: We have been very fortunate thanks to my career in WWE, (World Wrestling Entertainment) to have a worldwide fan base. What we have seen a lot through our social media outlets is that fans can’t really see MRA.” Michaels stated that “This is really going to give the show availability to anyone. Even for those who do have the Outdoor Channel. We really have a lot of fun, yet at times some film doesn’t make it to air. With Carbon TV we can really give our viewers exclusive content only seen online. It is a lot of fun, and it’s going to be very enjoyable for people to watch.” What has it been like working together on MRA? According to Michaels “It is a real treat to work with Keith, it’s one of the reasons I tell everyone that the minute I met Keith, and we went hunting together I knew right away that he is the guy I wanted to do the show with for a number of reasons. For one he really does bring a lot to the table through his experience with outdoor television. Truth be told, I have had many instances in my life where I just knew that I wanted to take that big step. From wanting to be a wrestler, to when I knew I wanted to be with Rebecca (my wife) for the rest of my life, I just knew that Keith was the guy I wanted to do the show with. He is a lot of fun, and I wanted to be friends with, hang out with, and hunt with him for the rest of my life whether we are doing a show together or not”. 22 - Hunting & Fishing News
Is there anything else you both would like to say to your fans about the show? “We appreciate the support that we’ve had from our fans....
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“Really it is all very true.” Keith agreed. “When I first met Shawn in Las Vegas during Shot Show, I introduced myself, we spoke very briefly, and I gave him my phone number. A while later we talked about hunting and we ended up going on a buffalo hunt on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. We both knew there was something there, and it just clicked with both of us. It seemed like we had known each other longer than just a few days. It went from us just hunting together to having the TV show and in a way, it kind of foreshadowed how we would end up becoming great friends. We have had our issues, but in the end we have a brotherhood, a bond between us, and it really makes doing this together that much more fun. It’s been a great 5 years.” “Well we are going to have more of the big game hunting that MRA fans have become accustomed to, like moose, elk, and white-tail deer hunts. On the other side is the humor and fun of the Squirrel Master Classic. I feel that we are striving to do what we have set out from the beginning which is to make MRA one of the best hunting shows on the Outdoor Channel and Carbon TV.” “Another thing viewers will see is that we will be going to Bermuda for the World’s Richest Marlin Tournament. We have some great stuff coming up for our viewers”, states Michaels. “We are really striving to have our viewers who like to hunt to continue to do so and for people who have never hunted to try it out. We also like to give tips to our viewers and give them any help they might need.” Mark mentioned.... Keith Mark, as we know you are a very avid supporter of wolf management. What effects on game animals have you seen with additional wolves in the wild? How has this affected your business? “Well, with the original breeding pairs in Yellowstone National Park, they had set goals as to what they had hoped to see as how far the wolves population would progress. The recovery was wildly successful. There are way more wolves than they had ever expected. The problem was that once the wolves had met the quota of what they wanted to see in western states, anti-hunters were such a vocal minority that they were able to prevent the Feds from actually managing the wolves at that point. At that point, the hunting and conservation community got involved thanks to our good friends from Big Game Forever and Sportsman For Fish and Wildlife. They were able to help spearhead some national legislation that led to the partial delisting of the wolf from the Endangered Species Act.” “The wolves were so overpopulated that we were seeing a huge decline in the herds of elk, mule deer and moose in Western states, so we really got behind the cause to start managing the wolves. The good thing is that there was a partial delisting of the wolves that helped immensely in the states where they are allowing wolves to be hunted now.” Are there any other causes that either of you are passionate about? “Every year Shawn and I do a show with our friends from the Outdoor Adventure Foundation. Every year we try to take an individual with us on a hunt and share it with the viewers of MRA.
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ELK NUMBERS ACROSS 6 STATES (continued from page 10) Factors impacting elk population levels
Habitat Adequate winter habitat in the form of lowland woodland cover is crucial for elk survival. Loss of winter range to development, urbanization, logging, grazing, agriculture or other land use continues to threaten elk populations in many areas. Loss of native winter range can also create management challenges by wintering elk in developed areas and agricultural settings. Conserving and managing woodlands and open areas can help support elk populations. Predation Elk are predated by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, coyotes and people. The reintroduction of gray wolves to some areas is believed by some to have had an impact on elk populations as the wolves target calves. But recent studies have shown that mountain lions may have more of an impact. The combination of human and animal predation may offset or exceed recruitment. Climate Climate change can lead to severe changes in habitat and ultimately, changes in population density. Historically, precipitation levels and winter severity have had the greatest effect on herd abundance through large reductions from winter-kill. Disease Disease generally only accounts for about 3% of elk mortality. Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial disease that often causes infected cows to abort their first calves. An average of 30% of elk on feed grounds have tested positive for exposure. Chronic Wasting Disease has also proven lethal. With no vaccination or treatment, the disease spreads easily in high density populations. 26 - Hunting & Fishing News
RMEF Rockets Into Fourth Decade of Conservation Work Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Fresh off celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation enters its fourth decade of existence with record membership for the sixth straight year, another four-star charity rating for transparency and accountability, and topping more than 6.6 million acres of land protected or enhanced.... 2014 highlights: •Celebrated 30th anniversary including 30 Years of RMEF Volunteers •Improved 135,000 acres of elk habitat in 22 states toward an overall lifetime mark of more than 6.6 million acres •Completed 625 habitat enhancement, hunting heritage and other conservation outreach projects bringing lifetime number of projects to 9,278 •Opened or secured access to 61,817 acres toward an overall lifetime mark of more than 769,000 acres •Received a four-star rating—the highest possible—from Charity Navigator for the sixth consecutive year which positions RMEF among the top three percent of all charities rated by the service •Provided more than $1.6 million in Torstenson Family Endowment funding for RMEF’s four core mission programs •Assisted with elk restoration efforts in Wisconsin and finalized efforts to augment elk herds in Virginia •Sixth consecutive year of record membership, totaling 205,249 as of December 31, 2014 •Record attendance of 28,000 at inaugural Hunter Christmas Exposition •Topped 200,000 Facebook followers RMEF banquet activities are already underway in many locations across the country with hundreds more scheduled throughout the remainder of the year. “Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and their fundraising abilities, we expect to raise and apply significant funds toward our core mission programs of permanent land protection, habitat enhancement, elk restoration and hunting heritage,” added Allen. “We look forward to doing great things for elk and elk habitat in 2015...
HUNTING & CONSERVATION NEWS Sage Grouse Initiative Partners Conserve 4.4 Million Acres In 5 Years Pheasants Forever
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new report from the Natural Resources Conservation Service summarizes more than 4 million acres of sage-grouse habitat improvements have been made since the Sage Grouse Initiative partnership – which includes Pheasants Forever - formed in 2010. The Sage Grouse Initiative Outcomes in Conservation report will be provided to the SGI Photo United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for their use in determining whether to list the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act, or withdraw it from consideration. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) launched SGI in 2010 as a highly targeted and science-based landscape approach to conserve sage-grouse and sustain western ranching economies. In 2010, USFWS designated sage-grouse as a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. SGI was developed in cooperation with the USFWS as a proactive approach for addressing threats to the species in a voluntary manner, while also preserving the viability of iconic agricultural landscapes in the West. “Since the very beginning of SGI, Pheasants Forever and its partners were confident that we could deliver voluntary conservation programs to western ranchers,” stated Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s President and CEO. “By utilizing the Farm Bill and engaging partners in 11 western states, SGI successes since 2010 have been nothing short of remarkable. Pheasants Forever stands committed to our continued support for SGI; we are in this for the long haul.” SGI provides win-win solutions for ranching, sage grouse, and over 350 other wildlife species dependent upon the sage-steppe ecosystem for their survival. To date, SGI has partnered with 1,129 participating ranches in 11 western states to conserve 4.4 million acres; an area twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. Utilizing programs provided under the Farm Bill, NRCS has invested 296.5 million dollars, and partners provided an additional 128 million dollars, bringing the total SGI investment to $424.5 million. The Initiative accomplished this investment by supporting a shared vision of achieving wildlife conservation through sustainable ranching. In total, 75 percent of SGI funds were invested into priority areas for greater sage-grouse conservation efforts. Announced today, an additional 200 million dollar investment from NRCS will combine with partner contributions to conserve a staggering eight million acres by 2018. “SGI is living proof that wildlife and agriculture can coexist and thrive in harmony. You’ve heard it before — what’s good for the bird is good for the herd,” said NRCS Chief Jason Weller. “The steps we’re taking to improve habitats and outcomes for sage-grouse and other wildlife are good for cattle, good for ranching operations, and good for America’s rural economy.” “Delivering voluntary practices through great partnerships is defining the future of wildlife habitat conservation,” said Sam Lawry, Western Regional Director for Pheasants Forever. “SGI has achieved an overwhelming magnitude of success in five short years and these results are cause for celebration.” Pheasants Forever adds organizational support to SGI – managing funding, administering contracts, and working closely with the Intermountain West Joint Venture to deliver Farm Bill programs to western ranchers. Currently, Pheasants Forever administers eight SGI field staff partnership positions in South Dakota, Nevada, California, Idaho, and Washington who offer technical assistance to farmers and ranchers interested in conserving sage grouse and other wildlife. To learn more about SGI, visit the Sage Grouse Initiative website http://www.sagegrouseinitiative.com
Torstenson Family Endowment Benefits Elk, Elk Country and Hunting Heritage Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
T
he Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation distributed nearly $1.7 million in Torstenson Family Endowment (TFE) funding in 2014 toward its mission priorities of permanent land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage. “We are forever grateful to Bob Torstenson and his family for allowing RMEF to establish this endowment,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “The TFE allows us to make an immediate and impactful difference in elk country while also providing multiple avenues for us to help spread Bob’s passion for hunting and the outdoors to the next generation.” TFE funding helped finalize seven different projects in Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Pennsylvania that permanently protected 3,808 acres of elk habitat and opened or secured access to 67,622 acres for hunters and others to enjoy. The endowment also provided funding for elk restoration, research and habitat enhancement projects in 13 states. In addition, the TFE provided funds for a wide range of hunting heritage outreach projects reaching thousands of youth and adults in more than 17 states. Here are a few highlighted TFE-funded projects from 2014: Virginia Elk Restoration— Completed a multi-year project to restore wild elk to Virginia after the third and final group of 45 wild elk arrived from Kentucky in 2014. They joined an existing herd of approximately 40 elk previously relocated in 2012 and 2013. RMEF Youth Membership Knives—Provided 8,000 knives and youth memberships to Illinois and Wisconsin for distribution at hunter education classes. Clearwater Basin Elk Nutrition Study (Year 2)—Study and model development monitoring elk responses to landscape restoration of early seral habitat in north-central Idaho where elk populations have been declining steadily during the past three decades. Medicine Lodge - Kate Creek & Ayers Canyon Road Access Easement—RMEF teamed up with a private landowner, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and local sportsmen groups to purchase a road access easement that secures permanent public access to approximately 41,344 acres of public lands in southwest Montana. North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area Foraging Habitat Enhancement—Use mechanical clearing and seeding to create and enhance 42 acres of forage habitat on Gunsight Mountain and in Bear Wallow Hollow for Tennessee’s growing elk herd, with the goal of reducing elk pressure on adjacent private lands. Woodring Farm (Vollmer) Acquisition—RMEF teamed up with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to purchase and conserve 81 acres of prime elk habitat located in the heart of the Pennsylvania elk range. RMEF uses proceeds from the TFE solely to further its core mission programs of permanent land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage. April 2015 27
REGIONAL NEWS Hunters Aid In Bust Of Elk Poachers Idaho Fish And Game Department
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Wildlife Crews Find Robust Elk Populations Idaho Fish And Game Department R
ecent survey flights by Idaho Fish and Game wildlife staffers confirmed that elk populations in two local elk “zones” are in great shape.... In the Boise River Zone, elk numbers totaled 7,769 animals, with cow elk (5,417) and calf elk (1,317) making up the majority of the count. More than 1,000 bulls were part of the total, and classified as follows: 448 spikes, 240 raghorn bulls and 347 mature bulls. The calf/cow index, used to gauge the health and growth status of an elk herd, was calculated at 24 calves/100 cows. The bull/cow ratio penciled out at 19 bulls/100 cows. Wildlife biologist Jake Powell, who spent several days in a Bell 47G helicopter counting elk, provided some perspective on the numbers. “In reference to the Department’s elk management plan, these figures exceed the population objectives for this elk herd,” Powell explained.... The Smoky-Bennett Zone is new for 2015, combining the former Smoky Zone with the adjacent Bennett Hills Zone based on elk movements between the two areas. A January survey of this zone produced equally encouraging numbers. The Smoky-Bennett Zone elk herd totaled 4,871 animals, with cow elk (2,712) and calf elk (1,173) making up the majority of the count. Nearly 1,000 bulls were part of the total, and classified as follows: 337 spikes, 349 raghorn bulls and 300 mature bulls. The Smoky-Bennett Zone calf/cow index was calculated at 43 calves/100 cows, while the bull/cow ratio was calculated at 36 bulls/100 cows. “Both the calf/cow and bull/cow ratios are encouraging,” Fish and Game wildlife manager Daryl Meints noted. “Both ratios are signs of a very healthy elk herd.”... Because both zones are above population objectives, increased harvest opportunity for elk in both areas has been proposed.... 28 - Hunting & Fishing News
father and son from Baker City, Oregon were recently sentenced for their roles in a 2014 opening day elk poaching case that began with a call to the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline. On October 25th, 2014, Justin Gyllenberg (33) shot and killed a spike bull elk in the Hells Canyon area, then continued shooting, downing a second and much larger 6X7 bull elk. Shortly after the elk were killed, Justin’s father Brent Gyllenberg (60) joined his son and both men began field dressing the two bulls. The younger Gyllenberg placed his nonresident elk tag on the larger bull, while the senior Gyllenberg tagged the smaller bull. The Gyllenbergs were not the only ones on the hill that day. The poaching incident was witnessed by at least two elk hunters, one of whom called the CAP hotline. Both witnesses described the poaching incident in detail, stating that a third large bull was also hit by Gyllenberg, but was last seen limping away from the area. In the days that followed, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers Randy Martinez and Rusty Anderson obtained additional details from the witnesses, then traveled to Baker City, Oregon to interview both suspects.... Martinez seized both elk and the Remington 7mm ultra magnum rifle used in the poaching incident. Citations were issued to both men including exceeding the bag limit, possession/transportation of an illegally taken elk and transfer of tag to another. Shortly after, the pair appeared in Adams County Court before Magistrate Judge John Meienhofer. In early January, the two men returned to the courtroom for sentencing. For his part in the poaching incident, Justin Gyllenberg was fined $600 and assessed civil penalties and processing fees totaling $1,000. Along with 12 months of probation, his hunting privileges were revoked for two years. Brent Gyllenberg pled guilty to his transfer of tag charge and was fined $300 and assessed civil penalties and processing fees totaling $1,000. Along with 12 months of probation, his hunting privileges were revoked for one year....
Wild Turkeys Introduced In Salmon Region Idaho Fish And Game Department U
pland game managers recently moved 61 wild turkeys from the Preston area in the Southeast Region to Lemhi County in the Salmon Region. They released 15 toms and 46 hens around Carmen Creek, just north of Salmon. “We want to see if we can establish a viable population in Lemhi County that is not dependent on supplemental feeding,” said Regional Wildlife Manager Greg Painter. In cooperation with the National Wild Turkey Foundation, the National Resource Conservation Service and local sportsmen, Fish and Game is working to improve habitat for turkeys and other upland game in the area. The goal is to provide a viable population of wild turkeys that will not become a nuisance to landowners. While 61 birds may not sound like many, managers are confident the population will grow quickly, if the habitat will support them through the winter. In fact, there is a good chance hunters will have an opportunity to bag a turkey in Lemhi County by the spring season of 2016. “If they can make it through the cold months, we could have as many turkeys as we can handle in three to four years,” said Painter. “We are going to stay on top of depredation. Wild turkeys can quickly become a problem for landowners, and we are going to make sure that doesn’t happen in Lemhi County.”
REGIONAL NEWS How Preference Points Affect Drawing Odds For Moose And Bighorn Sheep
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W
yoming’s moose and bighorn sheep hunting licenses are arguably the most coveted the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has to offer. This leads to hunters of all stripes; residents, nonresidents, first-timers and those with decades of experience asking, “Should I apply for a moose or sheep license for this year’s drawing or is it better to just buy points and wait until I accumulate more points before applying?” For many hunters, drawing a moose or sheep license is like winning the lottery. Like the lottery, you can’t win if you don’t play. If only a preference point is purchased, there is no chance of drawing a license, but it will build points to enhance drawing chances in future years. Al Langston is a spokesman for Wyoming Game and Fish and provides information to hunters and anglers on a regular basis. “The decision about whether or not to buy a preference point is one we are asked about a lot. My recommendation is for each hunter to decide based on where they want to hunt and how much certainty they want when planning ahead. So, essentially it is personal choice, but we are always willing to help hunters find the information they need to make an informed decision,” Langston said. To make an informed decision about whether to apply for a license or purchase a point requires a basic understanding of how the drawing works and information on the drawing odds for the different hunt areas in Wyoming. The preference-point system for moose and bighorn sheep was implemented 20 years ago and was designed to improve an individual hunter’s drawing odds for licenses over time. By now, most hunters who began accumulating points since the beginning have drawn licenses for these species. In many areas, those who have several points less than the maximum have also drawn licenses. Hunters can research the number of points needed to draw licenses for various hunt areas in previous years by accessing the Game and Fish website at: www.wgfd.wyo.gov. Applicants with the highest number of preference points receive priority in the preference-point draw with at least 75 percent of the license quota. The remaining 25 percent of the quota is allocated to a random draw. All hunters, without regard to preference point totals, are placed in the random draw. For example, suppose an area has a total quota of 16 bighorn sheep licenses. Under Wyoming statute, 75 percent of that quota (12 licenses) would go to residents with the remaining 25 percent (four licenses) issued to nonresidents. Out of the 12 resident licenses, nine would be issued in the resident preference-point draw to those who had the highest point totals. The remaining three are issued in the random draw. For the four nonresident licenses, three would be issued in the nonresident preference-point draw and one in the random draw. If an area has a small quota, there may not be any licenses available for the random draw. As an example, if a sheep area has a total quota of four licenses, three would be issued to residents and one to a nonresident. Because the total resident quota is three and the nonresident quota is one, all licenses would be issued in the resident and nonresident preference-point draws and no quota would be available for a random draw. If a hunter wants at least a mathematical chance of drawing a license in the random draw, he or she should select an area with a much larger quota. If you apply for a license, there is always a small chance in the random draw (providing there is sufficient quota). Hunters should bear in mind that failure to apply for a preference point or license for two consecutive years will result in deletion of all preference points from the hunter’s record. The application period to purchase preference points is July 1-Sept. 30. Hunters with questions on drawing odds and the application process can call 307-777-4600.
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hyped up as the fall deer and elk hunts, spring bear hunting in Montana can be a tough, but rewarding venture.
Mid-April hunts will have much to do with weather. 2015 has started out very warm, so your chances of spotting a black bear out feeding during the first week of the season has increased compared to past seasons. Most Montana bear hunters are limited as far as tactics on how we can pursue black bears - spot and stalk is the main course of action here.
Here are some early season tips to help increase your odds on filling a bear tag this season. • Hunt the prime food source to find bears. An area with abundant green grass and plant growth is what bears will start chewing on once they are out. As the spring moves on into May and the weather warms up, they will begin to eat other sources, grasses, berries, roots, cabbage, insects,and small rodents. Swamp areas, burns, open meadows or logged off areas are the areas you’ll want to be hunting now. Normally, you can find all these things in one unit here in Western Montana. • Learn to judge sign. Scat piles will tell you a lot about how big a bear is. A scat pile the size of a cheeseburger is from a smaller bear. Look for a pile as big as a loaf of bread to find a real brute. • Learn to judge the age of a bear. A big boar has a wider face, and bigger body than a young boar or sow. His ears will look small compared to his body. They will also appear to come out the side, rather than jutting up on top of his head. With all the fur on a bear, they do look big, until you get right up on one. Take your time, before you take the shot. • Calling bears. When it works, calling brings in almost exclusively, big, hungry boars that have killed before. Find a location with fresh sign, and position yourself in a good location so you can see what’s coming around you. Calls that imitate a rabbit or fawn in distress will trigger a bear to come in. • Floating rivers can be productive. Early morning river floats can be a great way to find bears. You can cover a lot of area looking for bears on river banks or glassing surrounding hills and mountain slopes. You can also stop, get out, and hunt up a hillside, glassing into canyons where very few people have been able to get to. Endless opportunities exist using this method.
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• Hunt right until the end of shooting time. Hunting early morning or late afternoon will increase your odds to find a roaming bear. Normally, bear are more active right before it gets dark. • Choose the right gun. Standards such as the .308, 30-06, a 7mm, or 300 mag are good choices when pursuing a big black bear. Bullet grains with 165 to 180 are good weights for most calibers. • Play the wind. If a boar whiffs you, they are gone! Always place yourself downwind of an expected travel route. Bears have an outstanding sense of smell. • Time spent hunting. What will increase your odds most, is just by spending as much time out glassing canyons and looking for bear sign. Once you have located a busy area, focus on it, and sooner or later, you should locate any bear that’s using it. Bears are very territorial and will fight and kill other bears they find in their home range. Boars are known for killing young bears with a sow. Bear hunting can be challenging, but very rewarding, and best of all, bear meat tastes good, especially in stews, a roast or ground up into burger. Enjoy the hunt! Send us your bear hunting photos or stories to: huntingfishingnews@yahoo.com April 2015 31
My Most Bizarre Incident in the Woods, Ever By Jim Zumbo
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too lengthy, I omitted a profound incident that deserves to be told. In the blog, I indicated that it took three shots to down a bull elk, but I didn’t elaborate on what happened between that last shot and actually locating the expired animal. To me, it was eerie and bizarre, and I’ll never fully understand it. I saw the bull lurch slightly at the shot. I never heard the bullet hit, as is often the case, perhaps because he was a long way away. But I thought I heard a crashing sound in the brush after he ran out of sight. When my guide, Karl, and I went to the spot where the bull was standing when I fired the last shot, we found no trace of a hit. For an hour we literally crawled around, and never saw a drop of blood or hair. For another hour we walked around, searching the area in grid-like fashion. Then we extended the search area for several hundred yards out, looking in every possible place for the downed bull. Then back to where the elk originally stood, and then more searching. Nothing. Karl was standing in the timber a couple yards above me when I fired and didn’t see the bull. He was convinced I’d missed. I couldn’t explain the lurch, and talked myself into believing that the bullet hit just under him and he reacted by jumping slightly, or the bullet hit just over him and his reaction was to duck. Or, more believably, I grazed him. I was satisfied with the search. We left no stone unturned, so to speak. We’d done everything humanly possible to locate the animal. Frustrated and disappointed, we decided to give it up. Nothing more could be done. Karl hiked up the timbered slope and I followed. We’d climbed a quarter mile when suddenly I had a powerful sense of urgency to go back and look again. An invisible force struck me and beckoned me to try one more time. I don’t know if it was a sixth sense of extrasensory perception, or what. But it was there. It could not be denied or refused. Suddenly I knew. There was no doubt. The bull was dead. My brain recalled the shot. I saw the bull react, I heard him crash to the ground. He was there, waiting for me.
I shouted to Karl and told him I was going back, that the bull was dead. He must have thought I’d gone mad. I didn’t wait to see if he’d follow, but ran blindly down the mountain. I reached the spot where the bull was standing. I was covered with goose bumps. A bizarre force was guiding me onward. I ran directly to the dead bull, lying dead 80 yards from where he stood when I fired.
He had collapsed in a small batch of spruces in a deep hole. He was lying on his belly, and the boughs had swung back over him. He was hidden from view, with just a couple tips of his antlers lying above the brush. I was astonished, overwhelmed, emotional. We had walked past that bull a dozen times. I couldn’t figure out why we didn’t smell him, not from decay after death but because a rutting bull has a natural odor that’s usually easily discernible. I was speechless from what had just happened. There was no explanation for the force that pulled me like a magnet to the bull. Had that force not occurred, the bull would have gone undiscovered, and I would rethink that scenario a million times later on, wondering if I really hit that elk or not. Soon afterward, Chuck Yeager returned with me and my guide to help pack out the bull. That night, as I indicated in my last blog, he gave me his Weatherby rifle around the campfire. A couple months later, I took the Weatherby on a mule deer hunt in west Texas with my good friend, Murry Burnham. Murry was one of my mentors who taught me much about predator calling, turkey hunting, and rattling for whitetails. I looked up to him with reverence. The man was one of my heroes. (continued)
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Murry had invited actor Rick Schroder on the hunt. Rick had just finished filming Lonesome Dove on a nearby ranch just prior to our hunt. At the time, Rick, known as Ricky when he appeared in early shows, was in his early 20s. We split up. and I worked my way along a ridge. Suddenly I heard a clatter in the rocks in the draw below me, and I saw a nice muley buck running up the other side. He stopped once, offering a shot at 150 yards. There was a big cactus bush between me and the deer and I had to hold the rifle at a severe angle to make the shot. I’ll never forget what happened when I squeezed the trigger. The magnum roared, and I instantly felt severe pain. I was scope bit! Bad. The scope on the Weatherby knocked me silly, and gouged a hole atop my nose. I was wearing contacts at the time, and the recoil blew the contact out of my right eye where it landed on my eyelid. Blood streamed down my face. So there I was, bleeding like a stuck pig and half blind, feeling stupid. But I still had the matter of looking for the buck. Because of the explosion in my face, I never saw a reaction to the bullet. For all I knew, he dropped like a rock at the shot. Or I could have missed. I managed to get the contact back in my eye, and stumbled across the draw. There lay my buck. It was a good news, bad news scenario. Good news that I got the buck, bad news that I had to go back to the hunting cabin with a bloody face and the embarrassment that went along with that dumb move on my part. With any luck, Murry and Rick wouldn’t be there, and I’d be able to wash my face. But it didn’t happen. They stared at me in horror as I opened the door. When they realized I wasn’t hurt badly, and suffered a bite from my scope, we all had a good laugh. Of course, I blamed it on the rifle. Of course. It was the first time I’d ever been scope bit, and I figured eventually it would happen. That evening, we went coyote hunting. Murry drove a vehicle while Rick and I stood in the truck bed. It was dark, and an unseen wire that was stretched across the gate caught Rick over the eye. He wasn’t hurt much, but needed a bandage to cover the cut. As it turned out, we both wore bandages over our right eyes. Some months later, I chatted with Chuck Yeager’s son, Don, about the Weatherby that his dad had given me. Don laughed and recounted a story about Chuck taking a shot with that rifle at a black bear. It was a long shot, Chuck had a rest on a rock, and he was so relaxed that when he squeezed the trigger, the scope nailed him soundly. A scope-bit Chuck Yeager! Don said that Chuck wasn’t very happy. He’d done enough bleeding in enough wars in enough plane crashes. I couldn’t help but smile when Don told me that news. I guess that being scope bit by Chuck’s rifle that also whacked him makes for an even better memory. And, by the way, most of my life I’d heard about a Weatherby scar. The term implied the usual half-moon scar administered by the scope atop a Weatherby. I was now living proof that the term was not coined in vain. And, I’m also living proof that you can’t look hard enough for an animal you shot at. If you don’t find it, keep on looking. And then keep on looking some more.
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Found Ram Is New World’s Record Boone and Crockett Club 3/6/15 A
bighorn sheep killed in a highway collision in Alberta has the largest horns ever recorded for the species. Boone and Crockett Club measurers today certified the specimen as a new World’s Record. The horns’ final score of 209-4/8 B&C points edged out the previous World’s Record, a ram taken near Luscar Mountain, Alberta, in 2000 that scores 208-3/8. The new No. 1 ram was hit by a vehicle on a highway west of Longview, Alberta. A local rancher who knew of the ram and found the animal on his property obtained a possession permit from Alberta Fish & Wildlife.... Boone and Crockett accepts and records legally obtained “pick up” (found) trophies as part of a complete record of native North American big game species... “When your job is tracking conservation and wildlife management successes, a new World’s Record is noteworthy – whether or not it was taken by a hunter,” said Richard Hale, chairman of the Club’s Big Game Records Committee. “Efforts to restore bighorn sheep populations are an amazing success story. The fact that these efforts are today producing some of the largest specimens ever recorded is worth reflecting on just how far these conservation efforts have come.” Five of the Top 10 ranked bighorns in Boone and Crockett records are from Alberta. Hale offered congratulations to Alberta Fish and Game for programs that allow the province’s bighorns to grow to their fullest potential. Remarkably, the new record ram was aged at 14 years.... April 2015 33
The additional 94 wolves harvested in 2014—as a result of the trapping season, which concluded Feb. 28, and the hunting season, which ended March 15—will be considered in the 2014 minimum wolf counts. Here’s a summary of the 2013 minimum counts verified for those areas: In the “Northwest Montana” area counts showed a minimum of 412 wolves in 104 verified packs and 16 breeding pairs, compared to 400, 100, and 25 respectively in 2012. The Montana portion of the “Greater Yellowstone” counts include a minimum of 92 wolves in 22 packs, and five breeding pairs, compared to 132, 24, and eight respectively in 2012. Summary; According to Fish, Wildlife and Park’s reports hunting, trapping took 231 wolves and 75 wolves were removed in 2013 for livestock depredations. A total of 306 wolves removed from 625 still left a carryover of 627. Those are the known ones, how many more died that were not counted.
How do they maintain that carryover? My experience tells me that the actual number of wolves in Western Montana far exceeds the verified counts. FWP reports 25-35 percent higher
Wolf Trapping in Montana By Tom Fieber
A
fter spending the past three years trapping wolves in Northwest Montana, I wanted to recap some of what I have learned. During that time we have taken seven wolves. Had some pull outs and lots of unfired traps due to pan tension or frozen traps. Getting a four and a half inch foot in the center of a seven and a half inch trap in all the square miles is a daunting task. Complying with some regulations and time lines designed to appease activists is questioned. Being in the outdoors every other day during the season has been enjoyable and a learning experience. I like to think that we have saved at least
1.4 elk per month per wolf. That is based on published data from government reports. That would equal 252 elk to date. The following are reports from FWP: Results generally estimate a Montana wolf population 25-35 percent higher than the verified minimum counts submitted over the six-year period. Population modeling for Montana’s wolves in 2012—where actual counts verified a minimum of 625 wolves and 147 packs—predicted that 804 wolves and 165 packs inhabited the state. The study’s results are contained in FWP’s federally required annual wolf report available online at fwp.mt.gov. That report shows Montana’s 2013 minimum wolf count at 627, essentially the same as the past two years. The minimum wolf count is the number of wolves actually verified by FWP wolf specialists. A total of 627 wolves were counted in Montana at the end of 2013, compared to 625 last year, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’. The report shows that 231 wolves were taken by hunters and trappers in the 2013 calendar year—or between Jan. 1, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2013—compared to 175 taken in 2012.
34 - Hunting & Fishing News
than the verified minimum counts. I am sure that may be true in some areas of the state but certainly not the case here in Northwestern Montana. My experience would say that number would be closer to 60-70 percent. For the past three completed wolf trapping seasons I have spent every other day checking traplines in Region 2. We trap four different drainages and very seldom have a day that we do not have wolves in at least one of the drainage or more. Documented packs and number of members are known yet we see sign of many more. Sizes of packs exceed verified numbers and multiple packs can be in the same areas at the same time. Are FWP personnel not doing a good job, absolutely not the case. They are hard working and dedicated and very cooperative. They cannot begin to cover the terrain of Western Montana either by air or ground thoroughly. The heavy timbered forests of Northwest Montana are quite different from the more open parts of the state. Accurate big game counts have always been difficult here. FWP is so restricted by political pressure and lawsuits that they are limited on what they can do. Funds from their budgets are diverted to defense in courts or forced to study and backup data from past studies to avoid future litigation. FWP was not even able to comment publicly on I-169 banning trapping on public lands. It was sportsmen that raised funds to protect that very management tool the FWP uses at no expense to them. Individually we have the best personnel in the country but as an agency sportsman have been orphaned. I would like to state that every single FWP person we have dealt with has been truly supportive. Also all the local landowners and local people have gone out of their way to help. From plowing out roads, reporting wolf sign, notifying neighbors, making sure that we return at the end of the day, just a friendly wave in passing and a thank you for our efforts. At times FWP can track a collared wolf from the air for hours and never see it or other members of the pack. When they do spot wolves during flights they keep track of the colors of the members and the numbers. Have they spotted all of the members, very seldom, I am sure. If they can miss an entire pack under the canopies how can they see an entire pack? This past month we were in one drainage checking traps as FWP was flying the next one to the south. They repeatedly flew on that side of the dividing ridge never crossing into our side. They had counted twelve wolves in that collared pack. Two days prior a pack of twelve wolves had made a kill in our drainage not even a half mile away. I had tracked them down to a creek bottom where they watered but returned back up the same direction. Those wolves continued to move to the north each day and never did cross over to the drainage to the south. After the plane left at least two wolves on the north side of the ridge they spotted wolves on howled for an hour. We trap in both drainages so two days later we followed a road on snowmobiles that runs along the top of that ridge for miles. There were no wolf tracks that had crossed between the two drainages.
FWP assumes it was the same pack but I can verify that they were not. Taking into account visual sightings, tacks and howling, I would say that there were at least twenty six wolves within a square mile in those two days. Is that unusual, maybe but hard to verify in most cases. As reported above, of the 627 verified statewide in 2013, 412 are in Northwest Montana. That is more than 4.4 times the number of wolves, 92, in the Greater Yellowstone area. The elk numbers there have plummeted from over seventeen thousand to around two thousand today. Yellowstone Park contains thirty five hundred square miles, perhaps half the size of Northwest Montana. Here a good percentage of wildlife habitats are developed unlike all of Yellowstone. Can the elk handle four times the pressure from wolves here? They have not and will not be able to recover without serious assistance. With two thirds of the verified wolves in Montana here in the Northwest corner management needs to be looked at differently than on a state wide approach. Remember that only collared packs visually seen are counted. Known un-collared packs along the Idaho border are not counted. That area contains more wolves than other areas that we cover. It is hard to imagine just how many wolves we actually have here in this part of the state. Hunting and trapping as it is now has had no effect on reducing their population numbers and each year harvest numbers will decline. Are we doing enough to balance all the wildlife needs, what more can we do? Sportsmen in the past are the ones that stood up and brought back our wildlife. It seems that it has fallen back on us again to protect wildlife from political pressures. Sportsmen, ranchers, farmers and other landowners need to stand together to preserve Montana’s wildlife heritage. Look at other states that have lost so much already. Get involved, this is not something that will go away on its own.
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April 2015 35
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Clark Canyon Reservoir & Beaverhead Campground R ecreation on Clark Canyon Reservoir...located on the Beaverhead River south of Dillon, Montana, is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Clark Canyon Reservoir is the site of Camp Fortunate, one of the more significant spots along the Lewis and Clark Trail. It was at Camp Fortunate that the Lewis and Clark expedition met the Limhi Shoshoni Tribe, and cached their canoes and a stash of supplies for the return trip. Sacagawea was reunited with her people here.
This reservoir, with 4,935 surface acres and 17 miles of shoreline, offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout.
From BOR: “Many recreation opportunities are available around the reservoir including boating, camping, fishing, picnicking, water-skiing, hunting, photography and wildlife viewing. Seven campgrounds offer individuals the option to stay on all sides of the reservoir as well as one RV Park with full hook ups for those who want more than the basic primitive amenities. White tail and mule deer as well as antelope are often seen roaming the lands surrounding the reservoir. Moose can be seen in some of the thicker willowed areas. Several species of waterfowl as well as song birds, birds of prey and shore birds make their homes in and around the water.” For a recreational brochure from the BLM on the Clark Canyon Recreation area visit: www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/clarkcanyon/clark_canyon_recreation_brochure.pdf Phone: 406-683-6472 Directions: Take I-15 South 11 miles from Dillon to Reservoir. Camping is available all year at Beaverhead Campground. The campground has tent and trailer sites, is handicapped accessible, has restrooms, and drinking water. From BOR: A courtesy dock and two boat ramps are available. The reservoir’s only low water boat ramp is located at this site. Map produced using National Geographic TOPO courtesy Rocky Mountain Maps www.rockymtnmaps.com 36 - Hunting & Fishing News
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Field Birds
Photo and editorial Bob Humphrey Yamaha Outdoors Tip
It is often said that field birds can
be among the toughest turkeys to kill...Not knowing any better, I cut my turkey hunting teeth on field birds. It’s Where They Live Research, and most every turkey hunter’s observations show turkeys spend most of their time in and around fields. It only stands to reason that you should too. Spend more time where the turkeys do and your odds of encountering one naturally improve. So do your odds of killing one, if you employ the right techniques. Wide Open Spaces Open areas offer much better visibility, which can be a double-edged sword. Because turkeys can see much farther in the open, they may be less likely to come to a call if they don’t see the source. This is where decoys can make a big difference. Turkeys can see them from much farther away, and if they’re so inclined, will be more likely to approach. Try to set up where your decoys will be most visible, like on a hilltop or off the point of a finger of woods jutting into a field. And be careful to set them to one side or the other of your position so approaching birds won’t be looking directly at you. Know Your Opponent Much of successful turkey hunting involves scouting and patterning, which is easier to do with field birds because they’re more visible. Even call-shy and decoy-shy birds have routines. Figure out where they go each morning, then try to get there ahead of them. Leave the decoys and the calls behind, be quiet, still and patient. Singing in the Rain Fields can sometimes be a turkey’s Achilles heel. They rely on their vision and hearing to detect predators, both of which can be severely impaired on windy and rainy days. The woods are full of noise and movement, so turkeys tend to seek out, and stay out in the fields during heavy winds and rain. When I see either in the forecast, my plans usually involve a field, and often an armload of decoys...
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Coyotes in Your Pocket: A Quest to Shotgun Coyotes By Tim Titus www.no-off-season.com
N ew country, a new set-up and no real clue of what is coming. Six minutes into the stand a coyote blows out of the brush line just feet from my youngest son, Ben, and I. It has our scent now and it’s going hard across the small meadow in front of us. Simultaneous shots from my 12 gauge and Ben’s .17 send her skidding through the hay stubble before she makes it 30 yards. Did that really just happen? This is a little more up-close and personal than our normal sets!
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We’re riflemen. In fact my wing shooting ability leaves much to be desired. Before Ben was hardly a twinkle, his older brother, Hank, used to tag along with me while pheasant hunting in Central Washington. I’d pick Hank up at the house and take him on short hunts with me after work. He was five or six at the time. My German Shorthair bitch, Jill, had far more experience with pheasants than I so it wasn’t a big surprise when she locked on a ringneck not far from the house. Hank and I walked in and a beautiful rooster erupted into the clear blue sky. I fired twice and, as was many more times the case than I would like to admit, the bird flew over the fence and into an adjacent field. I reloaded and in less than a minute, Jill locked on point again and once again a rooster cackled as it made its ascent into the fall sky. Two shots from the Browning hurried it on its way not touching a feather. What do you do? I told the dog, “Find us another rooster, Jill.” Hank adds from behind me, “Yeah. Find us a slow one!” He was a cute child.... Needless to say, shotguns are not my forte’. I’ve shot them. I hit occasionally but I’m by no means a natural wing shooter. I guess that’s the reason that I’m primarily a rifleman. I strive for set-ups that bring me the advantage when rifling coyotes. Slightly broken terrain to get some elevation, a mosaic of vegetation to see approaching coyotes and some openings in which to stop the coyote for a shot are the things I look for in the ideal stand. As soon as the coyote gets inside 200 yards, I’m looking for a place to bark him to a stop and the result is a dead coyote. Accurate rifles, crisp triggers and good glass are what life is about, isn’t it? And, yet, there’s been a nagging thought in the back of my mind that I haven’t been as well- rounded a coyote caller as I should be. Driving by miles of coyote country to get to an area conducive to good rifle stands has never bothered me.
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But, the result of choosing poor stands haunts me and haunts the coyotes that have left those stands with their PhD in their hands. I’ve really been OK with all that at least until one particular coyote hunting contest. The coyotes were responding during this hunt. Boy, were they responding! We had hot coyotes coming hard and from unexpected directions. Some were not about to stop. The resulting fast, moving, close-up shots are low percentage rifle shots and cost us just enough coyotes to take us out of the money. For most of us contest hunting is really less about the money and more about our pride. Afterwards, I told Ben that we just had to learn to shotgun coyotes. So, as hard as it was, I began leaving the rifle home. Feeling about half naked and wondering if I could hit anything anyway, I started my quest. I had previously purchased a Remington 11-87 turkey gun with coyote hunting in mind. A Dead Coyote choke tube was installed. I put a Tru-glo fiber optic three dot sight on the rib making it more like an open sight than a shotgun bead-- comforting to the rifleman-turned-shotgunner. My brother told me of his attempt to remodel his scattergun for coyotes and how far off of the point of aim (POA) it shot so,... I purchased a few boxes of Hevi-shot’s Dead Coyote 3” T-shot and patterned my gun. It was a good thing I did as the center of the pattern printed about 12 inches high at 40 yards. Good to know. The difference between POA and POI (point of impact) could have stopped my shotgun-coyote efforts before they got off the ground.
Lesson number one: pattern your shotgun.
I recently received a Burris Fast Fire III which I mounted in a Speed Bead mount on the 11-87. The elevation and windage adjustments removes the patterning issues with this shotgun and the 3 MOA red dot makes it possible to point and shoot with little thought to the process. Keeping both eyes open is still necessary but is fairly natural even for a shooter with ingrained rifle habits. The next stand turned out a little different than the first. Ben and I set up next to a slightly larger opening--Ben again with his .17 and me with the 12 gauge. Not long into the stand a pair was coming hard from Ben’s side. Barking had little effect and Ben took a shot at the lead coyote, a big male. The shot missed and I opened up with the shottie finally knocking the coyote down on shot number three. Ben put a finisher in him with the .17. As we walked up to the coyote, I realized I already had over ten dollars worth of shotgun ammo in this coyote hide!
Lesson number two: heavier than lead loads are expensive.
©JohnHansen|dreamstime.com
I’ve tried some four buck lead, copper-coated lead as well as the Hevi-shot loads and all have been effective. The position of the coyote in relation to the shooter and the coyote’s adrenaline level seem to have more impact on the effectiveness of the shotgun than the load itself. However, a friend of mine, Bob Morris, has much more experience shotgunning coyotes than I. He feels the heavier-than-lead loads are significantly more effective and that the new 15 gram per cc ultra-heavy shot is even better yet. Prices have sky-rocketed recently on the tungsten alloy shot and the shells are getting increasingly expensive but if you want to maximize the effectiveness of your shotgun for coyotes, they may be worth the money. Stock up now if you can find old inventory of UHD loads. Since, my primary coyote hunting partner went to college this fall, I’ve been double carrying a rifle and shotgun on most stands. The shotgun stays in my lap and the rifle is set up next to me on a Primos Rapid Pivot Bipod. A US Hunter shotgun stand enables the shooter to set the shotgun aside when a rifle shot is necessary without putting the muzzle in the dirt. The shotgun has accounted for over 80% of the coyotes this fall although the rifle has finished a few after knocking them down with the shottie. The shotgun opened up a lot of areas closer to home that would have been too tight of cover for good rifle stands. A couple of shotgun doubles have fallen to the 11-87 and having coyotes close enough to hear them breathe adds another dimension to the game. Recently after making a delivery to a ranch on which I have permission to hunt, I set up next to an island of brush surrounded by meadow and then sage. It was late and this would be the last stand of the day. I sat next to a large greasewood looking over the electronic caller so I could see the downwind (Titus’ Rule). A thundering of feet coming from over my right shoulder became evident. Turning my head ever so slightly to the right and looking out of the corner of my eye I saw the coyote stopped ten yards away at the edge of the brush line. It moved to its left stopping just on the other side of the greasewood from my chair. It was standing four feet from my right rear pocket. Its next move should have put him behind me so when he didn’t show up, I jumped to my feet. He started away with the classic loping–while-looking-over-his– shoulder move of a big coyote but made it less than 20 yards before the shot collided with his head and neck. Now that’s a coyote in your pocket! (continued page 40) April 2015 39
Coyotes in Your Pocket: A Quest to Shotgun Coyotes (continued from page 39) He was one of the fattest coyotes I’ve ever killed. He had fed well over the summer and fall but the game birds and animals would get a break from his dining now. Lesson number three: coyotes in shotgun range have radar. Full camo including your face and hands will help but any move you make will be noticed by the coyotes even when using motion decoys. Don’t move until you’re ready to take the shot. My quest has also taught me to raise a knee up and rest the shotgun over it to minimize the amount of movement necessary to bring your shotgun into play. After another ranch delivery, I stopped to make a stand. Again the sound of footsteps preceded the appearance of the coyote ten yards to my right. As I slowly began raising the shotgun, the coyote immediately saw it and turned away from me into the opening next to the caller. The first shot knocked him down but he began to regain his feet. The second shot hit him again and after the third shot, I was still forced to switch to the rifle to finish the big male. Feeling a little silly staying there after the barrage of gunfire, I nonetheless held my position and checked the shotgun. One shell left. Sure enough, two minutes later more footsteps are coming. Out of the corner of my eye a coyote is about to cross behind me into my scent cone at just two or three yards and, again, it doesn’t come by. Jumping to my feet, it actually surprises me to see the coyote roll at the shot. But, she too begins to regain her feet and I set the now-empty shotgun down and finish her with the rifle as well.
Lessons four and five: continue to call even if you’ve fired multiple shots. The security of the cover may make additional coyotes comfortable enough to still respond to your call. And, secondly, a coyote on adrenaline can take a lot of punishment. If a coyote is still struggling, keep pounding it until you are sure it’s finished. Bob Morris again instilled his wisdom in me for lesson number six when he said, “I thought everyone took at least ten rounds of shotgun shells in their pocket.” Indeed. Point well taken. I’ve since added a Mesa Tactical shotshell carrier to the side of my shotgun’s action. Shotgunning coyotes has become a sport unto itself opening up new areas to hunt that many times have more dense coyote populations than the open country sought after by the rifleman. The close-up, fast action puts a new spin on an already exciting sport while helping reduce depredation on wildlife. Don’t give up your rifle, but for a new challenge, break out the shotgun and set up where you can put some coyotes in your pocket! Good luck and good hunting. God Bless. 40 - Hunting & Fishing News
©Tom Reichner|Shutterstock.com
EHD and CWD: What’s the Difference?
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affecting whitetails today are hemorrhagic disease (EHD and bluetongue) and chronic wasting disease (CWD). Many people confuse the two. Here’s a quick guide to the major differences between EHD and CWD. Hemorrhagic Disease Chronic Wasting Disease (EHD, Bluetongue) (CWD) Basics EHD: Viruses spread by CWD: A syndrome of the central biting gnats in late summer. nervous system in which the Symptoms include fever brain deteriorates. Caused when and internal hemorrhaging. normal proteins called “prions” being deformed. Pathway EHD: Cannot be spread CWD: Spread deer-to-deer from deer to deer, only through direct contact, or through bites from infected contact with the saliva, urine, insects. feces, blood and body parts of infected deer or infectious materials in soil. Victims EHD: Bucks and does of all CWD: Higher infection rates ages are equally susceptible among bucks, particularly mature to being bitten by infected bucks, most likely because they insects. cover more ground and contact other deer more often. Location EHD: The viruses are present CWD: Present in deer or elk herds everywhere in North America, in 23 states and two Canadian but outbreaks are associated provinces. Preventing CWD’s with drought and extreme spread to new areas is critical. heat, usually in late summer. Transportation of live, infected deer/elk or their parts is the Mortality primary long-distance pathway. Rate EHD: Some deer survive infection. CWD: Always fatal. Herd immunity/survival is higher in areas with longer historical exposure.
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Wolf Control Action Completed In The Lolo Zone Idaho Fish And Game Department
Idaho Fish and Game has completed a wolf control action in northern Idaho’s Lolo elk zone near the Idaho/Montana border to improve poor elk survival in the area.
The Lolo elk population has declined from 16,000 elk in 1989 to roughly 2,100 elk in 2010, and possibly fewer than 1,000 this year, with predation and habitat changes among the chief causes of the decline.
Fish and Game is focusing on habitat improvement operations, regulations on elk hunting, liberal seasons and bag limits on black bears, mountain lions, and wolves, and wolf control actions to improve elk populations. ...Ongoing wolf and elk research has shown that wolves have become the primary predator impacting calf and cow elk survival in the Lolo, contributing to a continual decline in total elk population. The Lolo predation management plan is posted on the Fish and Game website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/wildlife/?getPage=325 Speed USDA Wildlife Services specialists killed 19 wolves through aerial of death EHD: For those deer that die, CWD: Incubates in infected deer control in February. During the last five years, six other agency control death usually occurs within for an average of around one to actions in Lolo zone removed an additional 48 wolves. a few days of infection. two years before symptoms This winter, helicopter crews captured and placed radio collars on appear. During incubation, deer additional elk and wolves in the Lolo zone and surrounding area to can spread CWD to other deer. continue monitoring to see whether prey populations increase in Durability EHD: Viruses cannot survive CWD: Infectious materials response to regulated wolf hunting, trapping and control actions. outside the bodies of the remain viable indefinitely (years) Fish and Game authorizes control actions where wolves are causing insect vector or the deer/elk in the environment and are shed conflicts with people or domestic animals, or are a significant factor in host. in feces, urine, saliva, blood and prey population declines.... Human carcasses of infected animals. health EHD: Cannot infect people, CWD: No evidence that it is a Fish and Game prefers to manage wolf populations using hunters and either through insect bites health issue in humans, but the trappers and only authorizes control actions where harvest has been or by consuming infected deer. Centers for Disease Control insufficient to meet management goals. The Lolo zone is steep, rugged and Prevention urges caution country that is difficult to access, especially in winter. in handling venison in infected In addition to the animals killed in this control action, 11 wolves have areas, and suggests been taken by hunters and trappers in the Lolo zone during the hunter-harvested deer be 2014-2015 harvest season. The trapping season ends March 31, tested for CWD before being the hunting season ends June 30. More than 90% of the state’s wolf Long- consumed. packs are located outside of the Lolo Zone. term EHD: Outbreaks vary locally CWD: Infection rates at some from mild to serious, but deer outbreak sites are climbing ...Hunting has been extremely restricted since 1998 in the Lolo Zone, populations rebound. Whitetails slowly but steadily, and the and is not a primary factor limiting population growth. Rifle bull hunting have lived with and adapted to long-term impact is still not clear. was reduced by 50 percent in the zone in 1998 and all rifle cow hunts these viruses for decades. Over time, CWD may alter the have been eliminated since that same year. Additional restrictions social structure of deer herds were placed on rifle and archery hunters in 2011. Further, Fish and by eliminating mature animals. Game stepped up predation management efforts and has allowed increased bear and lion harvest in the Lolo since 1999 by allowing a This article is reprinted with permission from the website of Quality Deer Management 2 bear and 2 mountain lion bag limit, reduced nonresident tag prices, Association (QDMA), a non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat, and our hunting heritage. To learn more and the opportunity to use a nonresident deer or nonresident elk tag to about deer hunting and managing deer habitat, visit www.QDMA.com harvest a black bear, mountain lion, or wolf. April 2015 41
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UPDATE: ELKHORN CAPTURE OPERATION A SUCCESS MFWP
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uring the last week of January, crews completed capture and collaring efforts in the Elkhorn Mountains marking the beginning of a four year collaborative study looking at the impact of mountain pine beetle infestation on elk habitat and elk movements. A total of 45 elk – 30 cows and 15 bulls – were collared. Unseasonably warm temperatures presented some challenges according to FWP’s Dr. Kelly Proffitt, but operations went smoothly. MFWP
“We were extremely pleased to get the operation off the ground given the lack of snow for tracking and locating animals,” said Proffitt. “At this point, all the collars are functioning as anticipated and we’re able to record elk movement as we had hoped.” Unfortunately, Proffitt says the conditions didn’t allow for the deployment of two wolf collars as was presented as a possible additional non-integral angle of the study. Those collars would have helped the researchers track elk movement relative to the wolves. The study is being conducted in collaboration with the Elkhorn Working Group, Helena National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Montana State University, and the Montana Department of Military Affairs. Funding for the study has been appropriated by the US Forest Service and FWP, with contributions from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Montana Department of Military Affairs. The Elkhorn Mountains are managed in partnership as the Elkhorn Cooperative Management Area by the US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Natural Resources Conservation Service, and FWP. Within the USFS, the Elkhorn Mountain range is the only one of its kind, designated and managed as a Wildlife Management Unit. The Elkhorn Working Group is a citizen advisory group whose stated purpose is to provide recommendations on wildlife and livestock management strategies to the FWP, the USFS, BLM, and Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties. More information about the Elkhorn Working group can be found on its webpage: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/helena/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=stelprdb5366130&width=full Project updates will also be posted to FWP’s regional social media profiles (www.facebook.com/MontanaFWP.R3 and https://twitter.com/SW_MontanaFWP) as well as the Elkhorn Working Group’s page at (https://www.facebook.com/EWGInfo?fref=ts). April 2015 43
By Babe Winkelman
A
lright, I’ll admit that the ideal picture of a hunting day involves crisp temperatures, leafless trees, maybe a bit of snow on the ground, Canada geese calling on their southward migration and a rutting whitetail bird-dogging a doe. But for many of us, a spring day can be just as picture-perfect, because there is one can’t-miss hunting experience that every hunter should have every spring. That, of course, is a turkey hunt. Chasing gobblers is a rite of spring. Hearing a big tom thunder out his “GOOD MORNING” after departing his roost tree is an awe-inspiring sound. It really gets the blood pumping, especially if he continues gobbling when you start yelping on your turkey call.
Photo: Tom Reichner|Shutterstock
To help you put more turkeys in your lap and into the roasting pan, I thought I’d provide a few tips that have helped me over the years. Some I’ve learned on my own by observing live birds and enduring countless trials and errors. Other tactics I’ve learned from far better turkey hunters than I. That’s one of the best things about fellow hunters: aside from maybe giving up their favorite spots, hunters are quick to share their successful strategies with others to help them be more successful too.
A key tip when tackling toms is to talk turkey. The best way to learn how is to get out into the wild woods and listen to the sounds live birds make, and observe every nuance of their language and behavior. You can do this in the pre-season, with your shotgun or bow at home in the case. Inside of metro areas, within parks and other no-hunting areas, there are often healthy populations of wild birds that you can go observe. After all, a city turkey and a country turkey are the same critter with the same vocal chords. While you’re out, listen to the specifics of every turkey sound. How loud is it? What are they doing when they make certain sounds? A lonesome hen standing in one spot to attract other birds can sound a lot different than one who’s walking and talking at the same time; or scratching and feeding; or dusting and preening. When a live hen does yelp, purr, cluck or cut, what effect does it have on other birds in the area? What seems to rile up the toms more than anything? And what other variables are in the mix when these reactions happen (weather pattern, wind, visibility, etc.)? Keeping a diary of your observations
can help you commit your field knowledge to memory.
As you listen to the turkeys, try to exactly emulate the sounds of other hens. Really get to know the subtleties of every diaphragm, friction and box call in your turkey vest – so you know which one to reach for when you want to duplicate a particular sound quality.
Which leads me to another great tip to use when you’re actually hunting.
If there’s a vocal hen and a nearby gobbler (or several males) are responding to her, don’t try to compete with her. She sounds better than you. Plus, she’s got that feathery body attached to her voice and, well, you don’t.
Instead, become pals with her. Talk to her. Every sound she makes, duplicate it. If she goes “yelp, yelp, yelp, yelp” starting loud and crisp and tapering off to low and raspy, do exactly what she’s doing. In many cases, you can call in the hen by mimicking her. And if she comes in vocally, chances are she’ll lead in a tom right behind her. Photo: perchhead|dreamstime.com
If a turkey approaches but hangs up outside of range, try a simple tactic that a great turkey hunter once taught me. Slowly turn away (without getting busted by movement) and make your next call sequence AWAY from the bird and on the opposite side of your body. This will create the audible effect that you (the turkey) has begun walking away. In some cases, this can trigger a sense of panic in an approaching bird that his girlfriend is leaving the party. Often it will be just the kick in the feathery butt that it needs to close the distance. Now, let’s say lady luck does not smile on you. Your hunt is not over for the day. Nope, stay out there until roost time and locate (with your eyes and ears) where the birds are going to bed that night. Watch them go up to the roost trees and keep your eyes on them until sunset. If they’re satisfied with the roost and haven’t been spooked by sundown, then it’s a good bet that they’ll go undisturbed all night and will wake up on the same tree limb. Set up the next day, before sunrise, in a likely fly-down area near the roost. Be sneaky and quiet going in. Get settled and well-concealed long before the sun starts peeking up, and resist the urge to start calling before the real hens have flown down and have started talking. It can be a crap shoot about where the birds will opt to fly down, but if you’re lucky a big tom will descend into your area and respond well to your calling as soon as his spurred legs hit the ground. And if you sound like a real hen? Well, then heat up the oven! Good Hunting. 44 - Hunting & Fishing News
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